On October 20, 2026 Hengrui Pharma reported it will present 64 research findings, including three studies accepted for Proffered Paper presentations, three for Rapid Oral presentations, 32 for Posters and 26 for e-Posters at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress 2026 taking place in Madrid, Spain, from October 23 to 27.
Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:
Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing
Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!
The ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress is a major global platform for innovative oncology drug development and scientific exchange. Hengrui Pharma has participated for 11 consecutive years since 2016, with a total of 119 research findings accepted between 2023 and 2025. This year, the number of accepted findings continues to grow, covering more than ten cancer areas, including esophageal, gastric, liver, biliary tract, pancreatic, rectal, breast, lung, cervical, prostate and nasopharyngeal cancers, as well as thymic epithelial tumors and sarcomas. The company will also host an exhibition booth for the second consecutive year, showcasing its latest progress in exploring novel targets, expanding the clinical value of its products, and developing its innovative pipeline.
Proffered Paper Presentations Highlight Novel Targets as Hengrui Pharma Advances ADC Innovation
Two independently developed ADCs from Hengrui Pharma, the HER2-targeted trastuzumab rezetecan (SHR-A1811) and the HER3-targeted ruzaltatug rezetecan (SHR-A2009), have both been selected for Proffered Paper presentations at the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress. The studies address clinical treatment needs in breast and lung cancers, respectively. The data from these studies will be presented during the congress.
The Proffered Paper presentation on trastuzumab rezetecan will focus on progress from HORIZON-Breast06, a randomized phase 3 study in HER2-low advanced breast cancer, led by principal investigator Academician Binghe Xu of the Cancer Hospital at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. One of the most representative products from Hengrui Pharma’s ADC research and development platform, trastuzumab rezetecan is being developed for more than ten indications, including breast, lung, gastric, colorectal and cervical cancers. It is also among the innovative medicines with the highest number of breakthrough therapy designations in China. The study will further explore the therapeutic potential of trastuzumab rezetecan in this patient population and provide new evidence to support the expansion of its clinical applications.
The congress will also feature interim analyses from HERON-Lung01, a phase 3 trial comparing ruzaltatug rezetecan (SHR-A2009) with platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with EGFR-mutated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer that has progressed after EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) treatment. The trial is led by principal investigator Professor Yi-Long Wu of Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital. In July 2026, following positive results from HERON-Lung01, China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) accepted for review the marketing application for ruzaltatug rezetecan, intended to treat adults with EGFR-mutated locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC whose disease has progressed following EGFR-TKI therapy. In addition, a Phase III clinical trial is currently underway to evaluate ruzaltatug rezetecan in combination with EGFR TKI as a first-line treatment for patients with EGFR-mutated locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC. Outside China, ruzaltatug rezetecan has received Fast Track designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of patients with EGFR-mutated metastatic NSCLC whose disease has progressed following treatment with a third-generation EGFR-TKI and platinum-based chemotherapy.[1] As development progresses from early exploration to larger-scale evaluation of efficacy, the latest findings on ruzaltatug rezetecan will provide new clinical evidence on the therapeutic potential of HER3-targeted ADCs in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer.
With HER2 and HER3 among its key targets, Hengrui Pharma has built an ADC development pipeline spanning multiple targets and continues to expand potential applications across cancer types and treatment settings. Its portfolio combines further development of established targets with exploration of emerging targets.
Advancing Commercialization and R&D Innovation to Expand Clinical Value
At this year’s ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress, Hengrui Pharma will also present the latest research findings from its established products and innovative pipeline. Camrelizumab, a domestically developed PD-1 inhibitor with a leading number of approved indications and cancer types covered, will be featured in a Proffered Paper presentation about UNION, a phase 3 trial of neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy followed by camrelizumab and chemotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer. Hengrui Pharma will also use the Rapid Oral session to present the latest findings on its phase 2 study into Nectin-4-targeted ADC SHR-A2102 in recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer, providing evidence to support further exploration of its clinical development potential in additional cancer types.
Alongside expanding existing treatment options, Hengrui Pharma is actively pursuing therapies for difficult-to-treat cancers such as pancreatic cancer. A combination regimen based on its independently developed KRAS G12D inhibitor HRS-4642 has been selected for a Rapid Oral presentation. This presentation will feature preliminary results from a phase 2 study of HRS-4642 plus chemotherapy, with or without adebrelimab, as perioperative therapy for KRAS G12D-mutant pancreatic cancer. HRS-4642 injection in combination with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel has been granted breakthrough therapy designation by the CDE of the NMPA for the first-line treatment of advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer with a KRAS G12D mutation[2]. The research may offer new treatment possibilities for patients with pancreatic cancer and new approaches to exploring targeted therapies for KRAS mutations.
From expanding the clinical value of established products to pursuing advances in its innovative pipeline and difficult-to-treat cancers, Hengrui Pharma continues to drive clinical value through R&D innovation, opening up more treatment possibilities for patients with cancer.
Expanding Development Pathways to Bring Chinese Innovation to the World
Following its first exhibition booth in 2025, Hengrui Pharma will again host a booth at this year’s ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress, providing a platform for international scientific exchange on its innovative products and related research. Representatives from Hengrui Pharma’s leading R&D and innovation teams will also attend the congress to engage with oncology experts and researchers from around the world and explore how pharmaceutical innovation can benefit more patients globally.
Jo Feng, President and COO of Hengrui Pharma, said: "This year marks the eleventh time we have participated in ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper), with 64 research presentations – a new record for Hengrui. We look forward to sharing our latest advances in innovative drug development, presenting clinical evidence demonstrating meaningful benefits for patients, and bringing more Chinese innovation to benefit patients worldwide."
Hengrui Pharma will present additional research data and updates throughout this year’s ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress, further demonstrating the exploration and development of innovative Chinese medicines in global oncology.
(Press release, Hengrui Pharmaceuticals, OCT 20, 2026, https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hengrui-pharma-previews-esmo-congress-2026-64-research-findings-highlight-continued-progress-across-innovative-pipelines-to-advance-clinical-value-302914820.html [SID1234673615])