Chinese Pharma Takes 64 Studies to Madrid Congress

Hengrui Pharma will present 64 research findings at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2026 in Madrid, Spain, from October 23 to 27. The studies include treatments developed in China for several cancers. The programme features three Proffered Paper presentations, three Rapid Oral presentations, 32 posters and 26 e-posters, covering more than ten cancer areas and oncology supportive care.

Lung cancer findings

A featured presentation will share interim analyses from HERON-Lung01, a phase 3 trial comparing ruzaltatug rezetecan with platinum-based chemotherapy. The study involves patients with EGFR-mutated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose disease progressed after treatment with an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI). Professor Yi-Long Wu of Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital leads the study.

Listed as abstract LBA72, the presentation is titled “Ruzaltatug rezetecan, a HER3-directed ADC, vs platinum-based chemotherapy (PBC) in EGFR-mutated advanced NSCLC progressing after EGFR-TKI: interim analyses (IA) from the phase 3 HERON-Lung01 trial.” Chongrui Xu of Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital will present it on October 26, from 09:24 to 09:34 local time, at Alicante Auditorium, Hall 6.

In July 2026, after HERON-Lung01 produced positive results, China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) accepted a marketing application for ruzaltatug rezetecan for review. The application covers adults with EGFR-mutated locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC whose disease progressed after EGFR-TKI therapy.

China is also conducting a Phase III trial to evaluate the drug with an EGFR TKI as first-line treatment for patients with EGFR-mutated locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted ruzaltatug rezetecan Fast Track designation for patients with EGFR-mutated metastatic NSCLC whose disease progressed after treatment with a third-generation EGFR-TKI and platinum-based chemotherapy.

Other studies on the programme

Hengrui’s other Proffered Paper presentation will examine trastuzumab rezetecan in HER2-low advanced breast cancer. HORIZON-Breast06 is a randomized phase 3 trial. Ying Fan of the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, will present abstract LBA13 on October 23, from 13:40 to 13:50 local time, at Alicante Auditorium, Hall 6.

Another programme item is a phase 2 study of HRS-4642 with chemotherapy, with or without adebrelimab, as perioperative therapy for KRAS G12D-mutant pancreatic cancer. Chenlei Wen of Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, will present preliminary results on October 26, from 14:45 to 14:50, at Barcelona Auditorium, Hall 9. Hengrui describes HRS-4642 as an independently developed KRAS G12D inhibitor. The CDE of the NMPA granted breakthrough therapy designation to HRS-4642 injection with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel for first-line treatment of advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer with a KRAS G12D mutation.

Other scheduled presentations cover neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy followed by camrelizumab and chemotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer, in the phase 3 UNION trial; SHR-A2102 in recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer, based on a phase 2 study; and rivoceranib in pretreated metastatic thymic epithelial tumors, in the phase II multi-center KCSG LU23-09 (THRIVE) trial.

Hengrui’s congress presence

Hengrui said it has participated in ESMO for 11 consecutive years since 2016. The company reported that ESMO accepted 119 of its research findings between 2023 and 2025. It will host an exhibition booth for the second consecutive year, after opening its first booth in 2025.

“This year marks the eleventh time we have participated in ESMO, with 64 research presentations - a new record for Hengrui,” said Jo Feng, President and COO of Hengrui Pharma. “We look forward to sharing our latest advances in innovative drug development, presenting clinical evidence demonstrating meaningful benefits for patients, and bringing more Chinese innovation to benefit patients worldwide.”

Representatives from Hengrui’s research and development and innovation teams will attend to meet oncology experts and researchers, the company said. It also plans to present additional research data and updates during the congress. As of June 2026, the company said 14 independently developed Class 1 innovative medicines had been launched in China.