Lilly Entrusts Innovent with Exclusive Commercialization of Verzenio® (Abemaciclib) in Mainland China
Innovent
High-end Biologics Developer
June 30, 2026Innovent Biologics GroupToday with global pharmaceutical giantsEli Lilly and CompanyJointly announced that the two parties have reached an agreement regarding Lilly's original researchCDK4/6 Inhibitor Verzenio® (Abemaciclib Tablets)Reached a new commercialization cooperation agreement for the rights in the mainland China market.
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In accordance with the agreement,Innovent will obtain the exclusive commercialization rights for Verzenio® (abemaciclib tablets) in mainland China, fully responsible for the import, marketing, sales, and omnichannel distribution of the product within the region;As the Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH), Eli Lilly will continue to undertake the manufacturing, global supply assurance, and ongoing development of additional indications for this product.。
This collaboration aims to fully leverage Innovent’s established commercialization infrastructure and extensive hospital coverage in China’s oncology market, combined with Eli Lilly’s deep expertise in innovative drug development and full lifecycle management, to further improve access to this standard treatment regimen for patients with HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer.
Verzenio® (Abemaciclib Tablets)An orally administered cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor independently developed by Eli LillyCDK4 & CDK6 Inhibitors, thereby inhibiting tumor cell proliferation by blocking the phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (Rb) and arresting cell cycle progression.
To date, the product has been approved in China for multiple indications covering early-stage and locally advanced/metastatic breast cancer:For use inAdult patients with early-stage breast cancer that is hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, lymph node-positive, and at high risk of recurrence, in combination with endocrine therapy (tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors) for adjuvant treatment; and used forHR-Positive/HER2-Negative Locally Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer, including in combination with aromatase inhibitors as initial endocrine therapy for postmenopausal female patients, in combination with fulvestrant for patients with disease progression after prior endocrine therapy, and in combination with elacestrant tosylate for those who have previously received endocrine therapy and present withESR1 Mutationadult patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.
The product was included in the Class B reimbursement list through negotiations for the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) in 2021, becoming the first CDK4/6 inhibitor to enter China’s national medical insurance scheme. It successfully completed renewal in 2025, achieving comprehensive NRDL coverage for both early-stage and advanced breast cancer indications.。
This collaboration isInnovent and Strategic Partner Eli Lilly Reach Eighth Strategic Collaboration, the number of collaborative products launched in the Chinese market by both parties has expanded to seven, with Verzenio® becoming the 19th product in Innovent’s overall portfolio.
For Innovent, leveraging the robust clinical evidence-based medicine data of Verzenio®, its comprehensive indication coverage across early- and late-stage breast cancer, and its established advantage in national reimbursement access, this collaboration will enable the company to formally enter the commercial landscape of breast cancer treatment, optimize its oncology business portfolio, and lay a solid foundation for the subsequent R&D and market expansion of its breast cancer pipeline.
Dr. Yu Dechao, Founder, Chairman of the Board, and Chief Executive Officer of Innovent BiologicsIndicates:“We are delighted to announce our eighth strategic collaboration with our strategic partner, Eli Lilly and Company. The portfolio of co-commercialized products launched in the Chinese market has now expanded to seven, marking the 19th product in Innovent’s overall portfolio. Enhancing patient access to innovative, high-quality medicines has long been the core mission driving Innovent’s development. Leveraging our deeply rooted local commercialization infrastructure and market channels, we remain steadfastly focused on addressing unmet diagnostic and therapeutic needs for major oncology diseases in China. Breast cancer is a highly prevalent malignancy posing a significant threat to women’s health and represents a key therapeutic area of strategic focus within Innovent’s oncology division. This commercialization partnership with Eli Lilly for Verzenio® (abemaciclib tablets), supported by its robust clinical efficacy, comprehensive indication coverage, and established national reimbursement status, will enable Innovent to enter the commercial landscape of breast cancer treatment, further strengthening our oncology business portfolio. Moreover, it lays a solid foundation for the future R&D and market expansion of our breast cancer pipeline, ensuring sustained, long-term benefits for a broad population of breast cancer patients.”
Alon Bar-Shany, Vice President of Eli Lilly and Company and General Manager of Eli Lilly ChinaIndicates:“For 150 years, Eli Lilly has consistently upheld the philosophy of ‘Health First,’ advancing human health through scientific innovation and enhancing access to innovative medicines through collaboration. This partnership will fully leverage the strengths of both parties, combining Eli Lilly’s global R&D capabilities with Innovent’s deep expertise in the local market, to accelerate the availability of innovative therapies for more patients in China. Looking ahead, Eli Lilly will continue to deepen its oncology portfolio in China. So far this year, we have secured approval for one innovative drug (covering two indications) and new indications for two already marketed products in this field, including”Zexu® (elunisib tosylate tablets) has become the first and only approved precision targeted therapy in China specifically for ESR1-mutated advanced breast cancer., accelerating the localization of global innovative achievements in China to better meet unmet medical needs.”
