China approves toripalimab for advanced liver cancer treatment

Junshi Biosciences has received approval from China's National Medical Products Administration for its drug toripalimab, used with bevacizumab, as a first-line treatment for advanced liver cancer. This drug is aimed at patients with unresectable or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer. Liver cancer is a significant health issue worldwide, with 866,000 new cases reported in 2022. China experiences the highest incidence, accounting for over 40% of global cases. Many patients are diagnosed at advanced stages, leading to low survival rates. The approval is based on the HEPATORCH study, a major clinical trial involving 326 patients across multiple countries. The study found that patients taking toripalimab with bevacizumab had better outcomes compared to those treated with sorafenib. The study reported improved survival rates and a higher rate of tumor response. Professor Jia Fan, a leading researcher in the study, emphasized the importance of combining immunotherapy and anti-angiogenic therapy for treating advanced liver cancer. Junshi Biosciences' CEO, Dr. Jianjun Zou, expressed pride in achieving this milestone and highlighted the need for more treatment options for liver cancer patients in China. Toripalimab is the first domestic anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody approved in China and has been recognized in several countries globally. Junshi Biosciences continues to focus on developing treatments for various cancers and other diseases.