Beyond 'First-in-China' to 'First-in-Class Globally': China's CGT Sector Emerges as an Innovation Powerhouse

Fosun Kite’s anti-CD19 autologous CAR-T cell therapy product, Yikaida® (axicabtagene ciloleucel injection), has been approved for marketing, becoming the first cell therapy product approved for commercialization in China.

JW Therapeutics’ Relma-cel Injection Approved for Marketing, Becoming the Second CAR-T Therapy Approved in China After Fosun Kite’s Axi-cel Injection and the First Domestically Produced CAR-T Product Approved in the Country

Healios’ Naxicabtagene Autoleucel Injection Approved for Market Launch, Becoming China’s First CAR-T Product for the Treatment of Adult Relapsed or Refractory B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Carsgen Therapeutics’ Zevor-cel Injection Approved for Marketing, Becoming China’s First CAR-T Product for the Treatment of Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Reindeer Biologics’ Icilucabtagene Autoleucel Injection has received NMPA approval for marketing, indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have progressed after at least three prior lines of therapy; it is the world’s first approved fully human BCMA CAR-T cell therapy product.

Legend Biotech’s cilta-cel injection has been approved, marking the first domestically produced CAR-T therapy in China for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma;

Platinum Life Sciences’ emicizumab injection approved for market launch, indicated for acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) with predominant gastrointestinal involvement in patients aged 14 years and older who have failed corticosteroid therapy, becoming China’s first approved stem cell therapy

Xinjiu Nian® (bopenadacogene etaparvovec injection), an AAV gene therapy from Belief Medical, has received marketing approval, becoming the first approved gene therapy for hemophilia B in China and the first approved gene therapy for rare diseases nationwide.

Innovative pharmaceutical companies and CDMOs in the CGT sector,BiotechEnterprises, industry associations, and industrial parks; USD and RMB funds focused on the CGT sector; and strategic investors.

Speaker

Dr. Han Haixiong

Youlin Medicine

Chief Medical Officer

Personal Profile:

Dr. Han Haixiong has devoted over 15 years to pharmaceutical R&D, focusing on oncology and autoimmune diseases. He has led or participated in the formulation of development strategies for more than 40 drug candidates and spearheaded the design of clinical protocols and the preparation of summary reports for over 40 clinical trials.

Wei Qing

Boyacell Stem Cell Technology Co., Ltd.

Senior Researcher

Personal Profile:

Director of Exosome Technology R&D and Senior Researcher at Boya Stem Cell Technology Co., Ltd. Participated in multiple national and Tianjin municipal projects, with extensive experience in new drug applications and IND approvals for mesenchymal stem cells. Possesses clinical application and regulatory submission experience for automated cell therapy equipment, and currently leads Boya’sExosome TechnologyProcess R&D, with extensive experience in FDA Drug Master File (DMF) submissions for exosome drug substances and International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) registrations. Engaged in long-term innovative research and development of processes for stem cells, immune cells, and exosomes. Holds over 10 granted patents as the primary inventor and has published multiple papers as the first or sole author in core provincial and ministerial-level journals in China. Recipient of the Excellence Award at the 2nd China Postdoctoral Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition and the Gold Award at the 4th Tianjin Postdoctoral Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition.

Liu Chen

Locust Walk

Managing Director

Personal Profile:

Currently the Head of China and Managing Director at Locust Walk. Locust Walk is a globally leading investment bank in the biopharmaceutical sector, specializing in licensing, mergers and acquisitions, and capital raising within the biopharmaceutical industry. With deep insights into the deal landscape of the biopharmaceutical sector, he has provided valuable support for the strategic development of international companies in China. Liu Chen holds a research background in colorectal cancer stem cells from the University of Oxford and earned an MBA in Finance jointly from Tsinghua University and Cornell University. He previously worked in clinical development and regulatory affairs at international pharmaceutical companies, with professional experience spanning Europe, the United States, and Asia. He currently serves as a mentor at the Cornell Center for Life Sciences Venture Capital and will be a Visiting Scholar at Harvard University in 2025.

Xie Xuanhui

Reindeer Bio

Chief Innovation and Investment Officer

Personal Profile:

Responsible for incubating and investing in Reindeer Bio’s innovative business ventures, with a focus on upstream and downstream incubation across the cell and gene therapy (CGT) industry chain. Previously, Dr. Xie, as a co-founder, incubated and invested in a genetic engineering vector vaccine platform, establishing multi-pipeline companies targeting two major markets—vaccines for livestock and pets, and human vaccines—to meet the demands for import substitution and industrial upgrading. As a co-founder, he also built a synthetic biology platform targeting agriculture, medical aesthetics,Functional FoodsHe has established multi-pipeline companies in these fields, exploring innovative growth drivers for biotechnology beyond pharmaceuticals. Additionally, as a co-founder, he has incubated cutting-edge technology platforms such as mRNA, siRNA, and phage therapy. Previously, Dr. Xie served as the Founding Partner of TVM Capital’s China office, focusing on cross-border equity investments and technology transfer in the field of innovative drugs.

Zhu Fangfang

BloodJi Biology

Founder

Personal Profile:

Zhu Fangfang, Ph.D. from Peking University and Postdoctoral Fellow at Stanford University, is a Tenure-Track Associate Professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the Founder of Suzhou Xueji Biotechnology Co., Ltd. She has been recognized as a National-Level Talent and a High-Level Innovative and Entrepreneurial Talent in Jiangsu Province. Additionally, she has received numerous honors, including the 2025 New Era Youth Pioneer Award from the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China and the All-China Youth Federation, Chief Scientist at the National Center for Technological Innovation of Biopharmaceuticals, and a spot on the Forbes China·100 Elite Returnees list. With 17 years of research experience in the field of stem cells, she holds multiple invention patents in China, the United States, and internationally. In 2021, she returned to China to establish Xueji Biotechnology, which has emerged as a potential unicorn enterprise in China.

Zhao Piming

Daoji Genomics

Founder

Personal Profile:

A Pioneering Leader in Innovative Gene Therapy. Holds a bachelor’s degree from Lanzhou University, a Ph.D. from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and completed postdoctoral training at UCSF. As a Principal Scientist in gene therapy, he has dedicated 15 years to gene therapy and translational medicine. He previously led the world’s first gene therapy project for chronic kidney disease (SPLIS), holds one U.S. gene therapy patent, and his work has benefited patients internationally. With extensive industry experience in gene therapy, he excels in building high-efficiency technical platforms and developing high-value innovative pipelines, committed to translating cutting-edge gene therapy technologies into clinical practice to deliver affordable breakthrough therapies for patients worldwide.

Zhang Liang

Zhoudu Capital
Partner

Personal Profile:

Graduated from McMaster University in Canada, with over 15 years of experience in R&D and business development (BD) within the pharmaceutical industry. Successfully managed financing for dozens of late-stage star projects, and possesses extensive experience in asset restructuring and out-licensing of products.

Niu Jing

GenScript Biotech
Senior Investment Director

Personal Profile:

Senior Investment Director at GenScript Biotech (HK.01548). As a founding team member, initiated the establishment of the Huatai-GenScript Fund, with assets under management totaling RMB 1 billion. Possesses over eight years of investment experience in the healthcare and medical sectors. Previously served as Managing Director at Haisong Medical Fund and Investment Director at Dayi Capital. Has cumulatively invested more than RMB 300 million in equity investments within the biopharmaceutical sector. Portfolio companies include Yijieli Ke, Allist Pharmaceuticals, Weilizhibo, Bio-Thera Solutions, and ZhiMeng Pharma. Holds a Master’s degree in Engineering, Statistics, and Operations Research from Virginia Tech, with five years of study and work experience in the United States.

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