China Increases WHO Donation to Support Multilateralism Amid Pandemic

1. China Increases Donation to WHO, Joins Hands with the International Community in Strong Support of MultilateralismAt a press conference on April 23, Geng Shuang, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced that China had decided to increase its cash donation to the World Health Organization (WHO) by US$30 million, on top of the initial US$20 million in cash contributions. The additional funds are designated to support COVID-19 prevention and control efforts, as well as to strengthen healthcare systems in developing countries. At this critical juncture in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting the WHO not only facilitates international cooperation in combating the epidemic but also helps uphold the concepts and principles of multilateralism. (Haiwai Net)

2. Hansoh Pharma Strengthens R&D with HK$3.4 Billion The net proceeds from the placement by Hansoh Pharma amounted to approximately HK$3.477 billion. The company plans to utilize the net proceeds from the placement for research and development projects (including but not limited to the domestic and overseas drug development of the company's existing and future products), expanding its R&D team, and investing in technologies, so as to further enhance its R&D capabilities and enrich its product pipeline.

3. A Leap Over the Dragon Gate in Accelerated Approval of New Drugs: Applauding Hansoh Pharma’s Ametinib (R), a Product of “Quality” Manufacturing in ChinaAs the first domestically developed and the world’s second third-generation EGFR-TKI, Ametinib (amecetinib mesylate tablets) under Hansoh Pharma has successfully passed through the accelerated approval pathway for new drugs, leveraging high-quality single-arm trial protocols and data in line with current trends. It was successfully launched on March 18, 2020, and is currently approved for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR T790M mutation.Lung CancerTreatment of (NSCLC) patients.

4. Johnson & Johnson Partners with Emergent BioSolutions to Manufacture COVID-19 VaccineJohnson & Johnson has reached an agreement with biological solutions company Emergent BioSolutions to utilize its manufacturing facilities to assist in the production of over one billion doses of a vaccine. The company is currently testing a vaccine to combat the novel coronavirus. This agreement marks the first in a series of anticipated global collaborations aimed at accelerating the production of experimental COVID-19 candidate vaccines, even before there are signals indicating the vaccine's efficacy. Under this deal, valued at approximately $135 million, Emergent stated it would provide drug manufacturing services and maintain large-scale production capacity.

5. US Experts Warn That COVID-19 Drugs Recommended by Trump May Cause Toxicity The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) has warned patients with novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) against the combined use of two drugs recommended by US President Donald Trump. Experts stated that COVID-19 patients should not use hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin in combination, as this combination may pose a risk of "toxicity," meaning it could lead to serious side effects such as poisoning.

6. Defective Reagents for COVID-19 Testing Produced by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Issues were identified in two of the three laboratories under the U.S. CDC. The FDA pointed out that accurate testing could not be performed because some test reagents were contaminated with the novel coronavirus. In late January, the CDC distributed test reagents to 26 public health laboratories nationwide, and problems were found in 24 of these laboratories. Meanwhile, the CDC added testing factors considered unnecessary, complicating the testing process and reducing testing speed.

7. Novartis Announces Completion of Acquisition of Startup Software Company AmblyotechNovartis stated that it will continue to collaborate with Ubisoft and McGill University to further develop digital therapeutics for amblyopia. Novartis aims to transform Amblyotech’s software into an engaging game-based medical device, conducting a proof-of-concept study in the second half of 2020 to establish it as a digital therapeutic for treating amblyopia. Under the agreement, Amblyotech provides active gaming and passive video technologies, used in conjunction with 3D glasses, to train the eyes to perceive complete images.

8. Takeda Accelerates Introduction to ChinaRare DiseasesMedication: Shan Guohong, President of Takeda China, stated that Takeda China expects approximately seven new drugs to be approved for launch during the 2020 fiscal year (from April 2020 to March 2021). Over the next three to five years in China, more than 15 innovative medicines will be launched, most of which are first-in-class or best-in-class products. According to Mr. Shan, the products expected to be launched in 2020 will primarily focus on oncology, gastroenterology, and rare diseases. The introduction of medications for rare diseases will be accelerated, with rare disease treatments occupying a prominent position among Takeda China’s launches this year, accounting for three to four products.

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