Hutchmed medicines get renewed, new reimbursement coverage in China
By Josh White
Date: Monday 08 Dec 2025
(Sharecast News) - Hutchmed China said on Monday that several of its oncology medicines would remain covered under China's state reimbursement system next year, while another had been added to a new commercial insurance list, expanding patient access and reinforcing the company's position in the country's multi-layered healthcare market.
The AIM-traded firm said the updated National Reimbursement Drug List, effective from 1 January 2026 following renewal negotiations with the National Healthcare Security Administration, would continue to include Elunate, Orpathys and Sulanda.
Elunate, also known as fruquintinib, retained coverage for use in metastatic colorectal cancer and was now included for the treatment of advanced endometrial cancer with mismatch repair proficient tumours when used in combination with Tyvyt.
Orpathys, or savolitinib, remained listed for adults with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer carrying the MET exon 14 skipping alteration.
Sulanda, or surufatinib, was meanwhile renewed for unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic, progressive non-functional neuroendocrine tumours.
Separately, Tazverik, or tazemetostat, would be included in the first National Commercial Health Insurance Innovative Drug List, established this year to expand reimbursement beyond the NRDL framework.
The commercial list targeted high-cost, high-innovation treatments such as oncology medicines, gene therapies and rare disease drugs, enabling coverage through supplementary products including high-limit medical insurance and regional inclusive health plans.
Hutchmed said that broadened access to novel cancer therapies and supported the long-term development of China's biopharmaceutical market.
The NRDL, which covers around 95% of China's population through basic medical insurance schemes, was updated annually, with reimbursement for novel oncology drugs requiring varying levels of patient co-payment.
Hutchmed noted that its medicines were developed through partnerships including Eli Lilly for fruquintinib, AstraZeneca for savolitinib and Ipsen's Epizyme unit for tazemetostat, with the company retaining full or regional commercial rights depending on the product.
It noted that expanding access through state and commercial reimbursement channels was a central pillar of China's healthcare reforms and aligned with government efforts to improve affordability of innovative treatments while fostering domestic drug development.
At 1128 GMT, shares in Hutchmed China were down 0.47% at 212p.
Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
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