Roche to debut pipeline at 8th CIIE, accelerating full-spectrum leadership
The countdown to the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) has begun. As one of the first multinational corporations to express support to China's Ministry of Commerce and deeply engage in the CIIE, Roche Pharmaceuticals will once again honor its commitment for the eighth consecutive year.
Roche will present a comprehensive display of over 40 products from its entire portfolio and diverse innovative solutions. Among them, more than ten pipeline and soon-to-be-launched products in China, covering a full spectrum of disease areas, will make their collective debut, marking the largest lineup in history. Key highlights include Gazyva® (obinutuzumab), the first anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody to show positive results in a Phase III randomized clinical trial for lupus nephritis, and the Port Delivery System (PDS), the world's first and only eye implant offering a breakthrough solution in ophthalmology. Additionally, Roche will showcase for the first time its end-to-end integrated pharmaceutical value chain in China, along with a panoramic view of its newly invested RMB 2.04 billion biologics manufacturing site.
Roche at the 2025 CIIE
Ms. Bian Xin, CEO of Roche Pharmaceutical China, stated: "As a vital window into China's high-standard opening-up and a global platform for sharing innovative achievements, the CIIE has provided an irreplaceable strategic stage for foreign companies like Roche that are deeply rooted in China. Over the past eight years, it has not only served as a bridge for deepening our dialogue with the government and partners but has also witnessed nearly 15 Roche global innovative medicines complete the transition from exhibition items to commercially available products through the 'CIIE acceleration,' tangibly benefiting Chinese patients. This year, as a regular participant with eight consecutive years of attendance, we are specially debuting more than ten soon-to-be-launched and pipeline products, covering major disease areas such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, hypertension, and metabolic diseases. This record-breaking lineup signals Roche's accelerated transition from a leader in oncology and specialized medicines to a comprehensive navigator across the full spectrum of disease areas.
China's continuously optimized business environment and innovation ecosystem have provided fertile ground for foreign enterprises to take root and grow. As Roche's second-largest market globally, our investment of over RMB 2 billion this year to establish a new biologics manufacturing site in Shanghai marks a key milestone in deepening our localization strategy. As the first multinational pharmaceutical company to achieve localized production of large-molecule antibody biologics in China, this site powerfully demonstrates Roche's long-term confidence in the Chinese market. As Roche approaches its 100th anniversary in China next year, we will continue to increase investment, deepen our layout, and collaborate with partners from all sectors to drive synergistic innovation in the healthcare field, injecting strong momentum into the realization of the 'Healthy China 2030' vision."
Debut Showcase Features Over a Dozen Pipeline Products
As a global leader in biotechnology, Roche is rapidly evolving from a specialist in oncology and specialized medicines to a comprehensive navigator across the entire disease landscape. At this year's CIIE, Roche is debuting over ten soon-to-be-launched and pipeline products covering a full spectrum of disease areas including breast cancer, hematology, neuroscience, ophthalmology, immunology, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Among them, several pipeline products have already entered large-scale Phase III clinical trials with compelling data.
The soon-to-be-launched products and new indications in China include Gazyva® (obinutuzumab) in immunology and the first appearance at CIIE of the breakthrough ophthalmic solution PDS (Port Delivery System).
This year, Roche is launching a significant new immunology indication for Gazyva® (obinutuzumab). According to the latest Phase III clinical trial results, Gazyva® significantly improved patients' Complete Renal Response (CRR) rate. It is the first anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody to demonstrate a CRR benefit in a randomized Phase III clinical trial for lupus nephritis. Having already received U.S. FDA approval and EU Priority Review, it is expected to soon offer a new treatment option for the broad patient population with lupus nephritis in China.
Roche is also continuously exploring innovative drug delivery methods, such as subcutaneous formulations and short-duration infusions. The breakthrough ophthalmic solution PDS (Port Delivery System) made its debut on the CIIE stage. As the world's first and only intraocular implant, the PDS is only about the size of a grain of rice. It is surgically implanted in the pars plana and is a permanent, refillable device that delivers the anti-VEGF antibody ranibizumab, continuously releasing the medication for up to approximately six months. This reduces the need for frequent intravitreal injections and provides a novel long-term management solution for patients with retinal diseases.
The pipeline products will make their first collective appearance, spanning the full spectrum of disease areas and showcasing Roche's breakthrough achievements in cutting-edge science and innovation.
In Breast Cancer: Giredestrant, Roche's internally developed next-generation oral SERD (Selective Estrogen Receptor Degrader), offers new hope for overcoming clinical resistance in breast cancer patients. The evERA study, as the first all-oral combination head-to-head Phase III trial to achieve positive results, demonstrated that in patients with ER+ advanced breast cancer previously treated with CDK4/6 inhibitors, Giredestrant combined with everolimus significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) compared to standard endocrine therapy combined with everolimus.
In Hematology: NXT007, Roche's novel next-generation hemophilia therapy, holds promise as a superior treatment option for the hemophilia A population. Additionally, Roche has formally entered the myeloma field with Cevostamab, an innovative T-cell redirecting bispecific antibody expected to provide a crucial alternative treatment option for patient populations resistant to existing therapies.
In Neuroscience: Building upon its existing coverage in rare diseases, Roche is advancing two pipeline candidates in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease with the potential to benefit broader patient populations. According to newly released clinical data, Trontinemab, Roche's next-generation amyloid-lowering drug for Alzheimer's disease, has achieved milestone progress. These results validate the advantages of Roche's proprietary BrainShuttle technology and demonstrate a highly manageable safety profile, garnering significant industry attention. Furthermore, recent research and long-term follow-up data indicate that prasinezumab, a first-in-class anti-alpha-synuclein antibody, showed additional clinical benefits when added to standard symptomatic treatment in patients with early Parkinson's disease.
In Ophthalmology: Roche's novel ophthalmic drug Vamikibart is an interleukin-6 (IL-6) monoclonal antibody specifically designed for intraocular use, targeting IL-6 as a key mechanism in the inflammatory cycle of uveitic macular edema (UME). Results from recent Phase III studies demonstrate that targeting IL-6 led to significant visual acuity improvements and reductions in central subfield thickness (CST). Patient enrollment in China for two Phase III studies was conducted concurrently with the global studies, highlighting China's scientific research capabilities and providing clinical data for Chinese UME patients that is more representative of the local population.
In Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease: Roche continues to expand its product pipeline to address the significant unmet patient needs. Within metabolism, Roche is presenting four diverse pipeline assets, covering various administration routes from oral to injectable, and featuring innovative mechanisms of action to comprehensively address the complex clinical needs of patients with obesity. Roche's subcutaneously administered RNA interference (RNAi) therapy, Zilebesiran, requires dosing only twice yearly. This enhances treatment convenience and adherence for hypertensive patients and is poised to become a novel long-term disease management option for many patients with inadequately controlled hypertension. Additionally, Roche's first-in-class FGF21 analog, Pegozafermin, holds promise for bringing new hope to the large patient population with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH), a condition for which treatment options are currently scarce.
First Showcasing of Full Industry Chain Layout in China and the Latest Investment in New Production Base
As one of the first multinational corporations to enter China, Roche will celebrate its 100th anniversary in the country next year. The company has consistently demonstrated its long-term commitment to deepening its roots in China and synchronizing with the rhythm of the Chinese market through concrete actions. Among major multinational pharmaceutical companies, Roche was the first to establish and continuously upgrade an end-to-end integrated pharmaceutical value chain in China, spanning early research, drug development, production, marketing, and open collaboration.
Roche recently announced a new investment of RMB 2.04 billion to construct a biologics manufacturing site. This initiative will strengthen Roche's supply chain and local production footprint in China, comprehensively enhancing its end-to-end integrated pharmaceutical value chain. Located just 300 meters from Roche Pharma China's headquarters, the new site will initially be dedicated to the local production of the innovative ophthalmic drug Vabysmo® (faricimab injection). Construction is already underway intensively, with phased progress expected by the end of next year.
Roche's New Biopharmaceutical Production Base Simulation Diagram
Launching a Warm and Engaging Exhibition Experience
Progress in healthcare is not merely a leap in technology, but also a transmission of human warmth. Roche has always believed that true medical innovation lies in the fusion of science and humanity. At this year's CIIE, Roche will present an immersive display of this deep integration between medical innovation and humanistic care, embodying its founding mission of persevering in innovation and safeguarding life.
Furthermore, Roche has created a central exhibition zone called the "Healing Space." This area features a massive DNA art installation that interacts visually and emotionally with Roche's series of "Healing Squad" plush toys. By presenting real patient photos and stories, the exhibit interprets the power of life, allowing the public to experience firsthand the warm convergence of medical innovation and humanistic care, and jointly envision a healthier, brighter future.
Roche's series of "Healing Squad" plush toys
In addition, Roche has created multiple immersive and interactive installations, offering visitors a novel experience in disease education. Through easy participation, attendees can appreciate the appeal of cutting-edge medicine and enhance their health management awareness. Simultaneously, Roche is showcasing multiple self-developed or supported AI solutions that span the entire spectrum from research and diagnosis to patient management, aiming to empower the entire diagnostic and treatment process with precision.
During the exhibition, Roche, together with its partners, will host over ten major launch events covering diverse fields such as digital health and medical innovation, collectively presenting the latest clinical advancements and cross-sector collaboration achievements.