Zhenghe Biotech Launches Lung Cancer NGS Testing and Targeted Therapy Insurance Plan to Alleviate Patient Financial Burden

VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) has learned that Genecast, following the launch of MapRun and securing exclusive licensing rights for HalioDx in China, has announced a new strategic move. The company has entered into a strategic partnership with NUDHUI MEDICAL and Beijing Jianyibao to create the “Lung Cancer NGS Testing and Combination Therapy Coverage Plan” (hereinafter referred to as “Lung Cancer Testing and Medication Insurance”), aiming to alleviate patients’ financial burdens and boost their confidence in treatment.

According to the latest national cancer statistics released by the National Cancer Center, lung cancer ranks first among all malignant tumors in China in terms of both incidence and mortality rates. Fortunately, with the advancement of precision medicine, numerous targeted therapies directed at specific genetic mutations are now available, holding promise for extending the survival of patients with lung cancer.

However, despite the continuous expansion of coverage and scope for anticancer drugs in China’s National Reimbursement Drug List, high medical costs still impose a significant burden on patients’ families. Many patients are unable to access timely and effective treatments due to financial constraints, with some even foregoing treatment altogether, thereby enduring dual hardships—both economic and psychological.

As a leader in the field of precision oncology, Genecast will leverage its integrated strengths to build a four-dimensional comprehensive platform encompassing “genetic testing + clinical diagnosis and treatment + insurance + patients,” exploring innovative solutions to meet patients’ therapeutic needs.

Currently, Genecast, which has obtained CAP accreditation in the United States, possesses qualifications and capabilities aligned with internationally leading standards, and has become a high-quality partner for many renowned enterprises both domestically and abroad. NUDHUI MEDICAL and Beijing Jianyibao, as providers of innovative medical payment and insurance solutions, are dedicated to serving patients with major diseases by offering commercial health insurance and payment plans. This collaboration represents a joint effort by all parties to explore standardized pathways and precision diagnosis and treatment, and also signifies recognition from the insurance payment sector of the accuracy and reliability of Genecast’s testing services.

Lung Cancer Drug Insurance: The initial phase will cover lung cancer patients with EGFR, ALK, or ROS1 gene mutations. Patients who undergo tumor genetic testing using Genecast’s next-generation sequencing (NGS) and agree to enroll in the insurance plan may be eligible for medical expense reimbursement if, during the coverage period, they adhere to clinical guidelines while taking one of nine targeted anti-cancer drugs—including Iressa, Tagrisso, and Xalkori—and still experience tumor progression or metastasis within a specified timeframe after treatment.

In response, Du Bo, Founder and CEO of Genecast, stated that addressing the challenge of high-priced anticancer drugs requires joint efforts from all sectors of society. The recently launched lung cancer testing and medication insurance represents a win-win outcome for multiple stakeholders. From a societal perspective, the introduction of cancer testing insurance serves as an effective supplement to basic medical insurance, contributing to a more comprehensive national health security system. For patients, it helps alleviate the financial burden on their families, improves quality of life, and enhances confidence in clinical treatment. For physicians, it supports the development of more precise and rational treatment plans, thereby avoiding the waste of medical resources.

Liu Xiaojie, Founder and CEO of NUDHUI MEDICAL, stated that this collaboration with Genecast better integrates precision medicine with health management coverage. By combining high-quality gene sequencing with precise targeted therapies, the partnership enhances the management and support of cancer treatment for patients who need it most. It also tangibly reduces patients’ financial risks, providing a robust supplement to the existing medical insurance system and helping to drive the formation and development of a more comprehensive and mature Chinese healthcare industry chain.

In fact, such cross-sector collaborations not only align with market development demands but also conform to broader policy trends. The “Healthy China 2030” strategic plan explicitly mandates a 15% increase in the overall five-year cancer survival rate in China by 2030. With the proposal of the State Council’s institutional reform plan during this year’s “Two Sessions,” health insurance is transitioning from its traditional passive role as a “payer” to an active “connector.” This shift integrates treatment with prevention and leverages public health big data to establish a comprehensive, full-lifecycle health risk protection system centered on prevention. This represents a new driving force whereby technological innovations, such as gene technology, are empowering healthy development.

According to the "Research Report on Global Precision Medicine Market Prospects and Investment Opportunities (2018–2023)" released by China Business Industry Research Institute, the global precision medicine market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 15% from 2016 to 2020, with its size expected to surpass $100 billion and reach $105 billion by 2020.

In the future, precision medicine—particularly its development in oncology—holds vast commercial potential. The integration of genetic testing and insurance not only assists physicians in formulating treatment plans better tailored to individual patients but also promotes healthcare efficiency driven by large-scale genomic data, thereby providing robust support for the sustainable development of the precision oncology industry.