The U.S. FDA on July 15 cleared Biocon Biologics Ltd.’s Kirsty (insulin aspart-xjhz) as the first and only interchangeable biosimilar product referencing Novo Nordisk A/S’ Novolog (insulin aspart), a rapid-acting diabetes medication.
The U.S. FDA approved 22 drugs in June, tying with March for the highest number of approvals and a jump from 15 approvals in May. The FDA approved 107 drugs in the first half (H1) of 2025, making it the third-highest total for this period in BioWorld’s records, trailing 118 approvals in 2024 and 108 in 2020.
China’s National Medical Products Administration approved Ascentage Pharma Group Corp. Ltd.’s Bcl-2 selective inhibitor lisaftoclax (APG-2575) for treating adults with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma who previously received at least one systemic therapy including Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
China’s National Medical Products Administration gave the green light to Simcere Pharmaceutical Group Ltd.’s Enzeshu (suvemcitug) for treating recurrent ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, or primary peritoneal cancer in combination with paclitaxel, liposomal doxorubicin, or topotecan in adults who have received at least one systemic therapy after platinum resistance.
Four days ahead of its July 7 PDUFA date, the U.S. FDA granted accelerated approval to Dizal (Jiangsu) Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.’s sunvozertinib (DZD-9008), branded as Zegfrovy, for treating adults with locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer with epidermal growth factor receptor exon 20 insertion mutations following platinum-based chemotherapy.
Wuhan Healthgen Biotechnology Co. Ltd. gained clearance from the Shanghai Stock Exchange July 1 to list under a recently reinstated IPO growth tier geared towards supporting “unprofitable” biotechnology firms.
China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has accepted for review Carsgen Therapeutics Holdings Ltd.’s NDA for satricabtagene autoleucel (satri-cel, CT-041), an autologous CAR T candidate targeting Claudin18.2 for treating Claudin18.2-positive advanced gastric/gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (G/GEJA) in patients who have failed at least two prior lines of therapy. Just one day earlier, Carsgen announced that it had submitted the satri-cel NDA to the NMPA.
Hong Kong’s Department of Health (DH) announced plans to establish a new medical products regulatory agency called the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation (CMPR) by the end of 2026.
Innovent Biologics Inc. announced June 27 that it gained National Medical Products Administration’s (NMPA) approval of mazdutide as a new weight loss therapy for obese or overweight patients in China. Mazdutide is a dual glucagon/glucagon-like peptide-1 (GCG/GLP-1) receptor agonist originally discovered by Eli Lilly and Co., of Indianapolis.
Jyong Biotech Ltd. raised $20 million from its Nasdaq debut June 17 to advance a pipeline of botanical drugs targeting male urinary disorders. The New Taipei City, Taiwan-headquartered company’s shares began trading under the ticker MENS, and closed at $10.11 apiece at the bell, up 34.80% from its listing price of $7.50 per share. Shares had kicked up to $15 at opening, reaching double its offering price.