The signing ceremony on Feb 10 was attended by Zhao, Dai Hongbin, president of Hengrui Pharma, Chai Jianjun, secretary-general of CAP, and Huo Shiwen, vice-president of Hengrui Pharma.

Delivering his remarks, Dai stressed that Hengrui Pharma, as a leading domestic innovator in pharmaceuticals, has consistently prioritized clinical needs and focused on disease characteristics prevalent among the Chinese population, continuously increasing investments in innovative drug R&D.

He said to date, the company has developed and launched 18 new molecular entities (Class I new drugs) and four other innovative drugs (Class 2 new drugs) in China, spanning multiple disease areas including pancreatic cancer.

Additionally, more than 90 independent innovative products are under clinical development, and about 400 clinical trials are being carried out at home and abroad, he said.

"Looking forward, both parties will work to strengthen cooperation in clinical research, talent development, international exchanges, and public science education," Dai said, adding they will also accelerate the clinical transformation of innovative drugs, in an effort to achieve breakthrough advancements as quickly as possible so as to benefit pancreatic disease patients in China and worldwide.