AstraZeneca Partners with Leading Diagnostics Companies to Build an Integrated Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Ecosystem in China

Today (August 20, 2019), AstraZeneca, a global leading biopharmaceutical company, announced the signing of strategic cooperation agreements with multiple diagnostics companies in Shanghai. The parties will leverage their respective strengths in treatment and diagnostics to establish an open and sustainable ecosystem for lung cancer diagnosis and treatment, thereby supporting the “China Precision Medicine Initiative” and enhancing the level of lung cancer diagnosis and treatment in China.

Strategic Cooperation Signing Ceremony

Advantageous Connectivity: Collaborative Innovation to Co-build an Ecosystem for Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Under the agreement, AstraZeneca will collaborate with KingMed DiagnosticsMedicineDian Diagnostics, Singlera GENOMICS, Genecast, Berry Oncology, Gene+, Amoy Diagnostics, Rightongene, and the Zhi'ai Hehu Online Testing Platform have joined forces to explore three “enhancements” and one “establishment”: enhancing the technical capabilities of genetic testing and precision diagnostics in China; enhancing the awareness among physicians and the public regarding cancer caused by gene mutations and their standardized diagnosis and treatment protocols; enhancing the awareness among physicians and the public about the accessibility and necessity of genetic testing; and establishing a quality control system for genetic testing in China.

Currently, AstraZeneca and its multiple partners have reached a preliminary consensus on promoting the exchange and education of medical science, as well as enhancing the standards of medical scientific research and practice. Examples include jointly supporting academic conferences organized by third-party associations and foundations, popularizing knowledge about gene mutation-related diseases and detection technologies, conducting training courses and continuing education activities for physicians and laboratory technicians, and participating in relevant research and projects supporting precision diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer.

Ms. Yin Min, General Manager of the Oncology Business Unit at AstraZeneca China, stated: “‘Healthy China 2030’ has set a target to increase the five-year cancer survival rate by 15%. As lung cancer is the most prevalent cancer in China, the quality of its diagnosis and treatment is critical to achieving this goal. Precision medicine represents a new trend in lung cancer treatment; indeed, it was incorporated into the National 13th Five-Year Plan for Scientific and Technological Innovation as early as 2016. Upholding its patient-centric mission, AstraZeneca is committed not only to continuously introducing advanced international therapeutic drugs to China and improving drug accessibility but also to creating integrated diagnostic and therapeutic solutions for patients. By implementing chronic disease management throughout the entire course of lung cancer, we aim to help Chinese lung cancer patients achieve long-term, high-quality survival with the disease. This signing ceremony reflects our hope to work hand in hand with partners to jointly advance the development of precision medicine in China. We also look forward to welcoming more partners in the future to collectively provide comprehensive integrated diagnostic and therapeutic solutions for patients.”

Ms. Yin Min, General Manager of AstraZeneca China's Oncology Business Unit

Confronting Challenges: Prioritizing Both Detection Rate and Accuracy

Lung Cancer Incidence and Mortality Rank Highest Among All Malignant Tumors. In recent years, with advances in diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities and the emergence of targeted therapies and immunotherapies, an increasing number of lung cancer patients have surpassed the five-year survival milestone. Amid the growing array of innovative drugs for lung cancer, genetic testing serves as a critical first step in precision diagnosis and is key to guiding treatment strategies and medication selection, playing a particularly vital role in targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

Currently, genetic testing faces two major challenges: First, the testing rate is low. Data shows that the EGFR mutation testing rate for lung cancer patients in China is only 20%–30%. Furthermore, due to insufficient awareness and emphasis on genetic testing, some lung cancer patients even bypass testing and directly take targeted therapies “blindly.” This approach not only fails to ensure drug efficacy but also delays proper treatment. Second, there is an imbalance in the development of medical resources, leading to inconsistent accuracy. Advanced genetic testing technologies are primarily concentrated in large cities and major hospitals, with varying capabilities and standards across institutions. Consequently, accessing highly accurate and authoritative testing services locally remains a “dilemma of choice” for patients.

Against the backdrop of an urgent need to improve the accuracy and accessibility of genetic testing, AstraZeneca has formed strategic partnerships with multiple diagnostic companies to address these challenges head-on. By leveraging their respective resource advantages, these collaborations aim to popularize genetic testing, enhance awareness among patients and physicians, and establish an ecosystem for lung cancer diagnosis and treatment. This initiative seeks to reduce inappropriate treatment plans, lower unnecessary healthcare costs, and extend survival rates, thereby achieving greater health security with relatively limited resource investment. Furthermore, through cooperation with medical societies, healthcare institutions, enterprises, and other social resources, the goal is to “extend high-quality medical resources to the grassroots level,” elevate China’s overall capacity and standards in genetic testing, and help Chinese lung cancer patients benefit from “precision medicine” by providing integrated, multi-dimensional solutions across the entire course of disease management.

Openness and Win-Win: Collaborating with iLCC to Deliver Integrated Full-Course Disease Management

To improve the current status of lung cancer prevention and control in China and achieve integrated diagnosis and treatment, AstraZeneca has joined forces with cross-sector partners from government, industry, academia, research, and healthcare to jointly support the launch of the "Integrated Lung Cancer Care Center (iLCC)" initiative. By leveraging intelligent and efficient diagnostic technologies, multidisciplinary team (MDT) collaborative care both within and outside hospitals, and standardized post-discharge rehabilitation management models, this initiative ensures that lung cancer patients receive an integrated whole-disease management plan covering diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. Across China, the establishment of iLCCs is proceeding intensively, with 150 hospitals expected to complete iLCC implementation by 2019. Genetic testing is a critical component of integrated lung cancer diagnosis and treatment; it guides physicians in formulating appropriate treatment and medication strategies, facilitates the advancement of integrated care, and helps create a sustainable ecosystem platform.

Yin Min stated, “We aim to actively explore a chronic disease management model for lung cancer that encompasses the entire care continuum, including prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and patient support. We welcome more partners to join hands with us in building an open, collaborative, and innovative system for lung cancer diagnosis and treatment, thereby promoting broader mutual benefits and contributing to the realization of ‘Healthy China 2030.’”