China: Domestic drugs make up 80% of innovative drugs approved in first three quarters
In short
Wang Weiming (王卫明), chief engineer of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said on 20 October that domestic products account for 80% of the innovative drugs approved in China in the first three quarters of 2026. He spoke at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office.
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Domestic products make up 80% of the innovative drugs approved in China in the first three quarters of this year, according to Wang Weiming (王卫明), chief engineer of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. China News Service reported that he made the statement at a press conference held on 20 October by the State Council Information Office (国新办). [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
China News Service said the press conference dealt with industrial and information-technology development in the first three quarters of 2026. Wang said drug research had achieved breakthroughs in several fields, naming oncology, psychiatry, anti-infection, gout and rare diseases. China News Service described them as major breakthroughs. [ 4 ]
36Kr (36氪) credited CCTV News for the report, and Jiemian (界面新闻) credited Xinhua. Xinhua published an item under the same headline. The documents do not give the number of drugs approved or a comparison with earlier periods. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The figure comes from an official at a government press conference, and the documents give no further data or comparison. They show how officials describe progress in domestic drug development.
Key facts
- Wang Weiming (王卫明), chief engineer of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said domestic products make up 80% of innovative drugs approved in China in the first three quarters. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- He spoke at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office (国新办) on 20 October. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- The press conference covered industrial and information-technology development in the first three quarters of 2026. [ 4 ]
- Wang said drug research had made breakthroughs in areas including oncology, psychiatry, anti-infection, gout and rare diseases. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The number of innovative drugs approved and the figures behind the 80% share The documents give only the percentage, not the total number of approvals or a comparison with earlier periods.
- Which drugs achieved the breakthroughs The documents list therapeutic areas but no specific drugs or approvals.