China News Service, Lianyungang, September 16. Title: Pharmaceutical companies lead the wave of innovation and polish the golden sign of "China Pharmaceutical Port"
Reporter Chang Mucheng
"China's pharmaceutical innovation depends on Jiangsu, and Jiangsu's pharmaceutical innovation depends on Lianyungang." This widely circulated comment in the industry reveals the core strength and industry status of Lianyungang's pharmaceutical industry.
In the recently released list of the top 100 Chinese pharmaceutical innovation companies in 2026, Lianyungang Hengrui Pharmaceuticals, Hansoh Pharmaceuticals (formerly Hansoh Pharmaceuticals), and Chia Tai Tianqing were all selected into the first echelon, confirming the strong strength of local pharmaceutical innovation and further consolidating the industry benchmark status of the "Chinese Pharmaceutical Port".
Drug research and development. Photo provided by interviewee
Innovation is the core driving force for the high-quality development of pharmaceutical companies. At Jiangsu Kangyuan Modern Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Institute, hundreds of academic papers and more than 100 patent certificates demonstrate the company's profound innovation accumulation. According to reports, Jiangsu Kangyuan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. has established a four-round iterative R&D system with a ten-year cycle and continues to delve into the field of innovative drug R&D. With the development of cutting-edge cross-cutting technologies such as artificial intelligence and metabolomics, companies have begun to focus on the research and development of innovative drugs in key areas such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular, respiratory, and neurological areas, and continue to broaden the boundaries of industrial innovation.
"Adhering to the innovative spirit of 'Bosi Jingyi, Magnolia Polygala', we insist on using technology to empower traditional Chinese medicine innovation and lead the industry's technological upgrading." The commentator of Jiangsu Kangyuan Modern Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Institute said that the company adheres to the innovation rhythm of "research and development for one generation, reserve for one generation, and plan for one generation" and build a research and development pattern with innovative traditional Chinese medicine as the main body and the coordinated development of chemical drugs and biological drugs. Every year, 2 to 3 innovative drugs with international and domestic leading levels and outstanding clinical advantages are launched.
Hengrui Pharmaceuticals, which has been deeply involved in Lianyungang Economic Development Zone for many years, also insists on high-intensity R&D investment, continues to consolidate original innovation capabilities, and achieves transformation and upgrading from a market follower to an industry innovation exporter. Since 2023, Hengrui Medicine has reached 13 overseas business expansion transactions for innovative drugs with a number of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, and its international innovation layout has achieved remarkable results.
Up to now, Lianyungang Economic and Technological Development Zone has cultivated a total of 32 first-class new drugs. More than 30 products have a domestic market share that ranks among the top in the industry. More than 50 products have passed overseas quality certification. The level of industrial innovation and internationalization continues to improve.
From the barren salt-alkali shoals, a highland of a 100-billion-dollar pharmaceutical industry has emerged. Lianyungang's pharmaceutical industry has achieved leapfrog development from imitation to innovation, and from local to international. Relying on the policy dividends of the "three-zone superposition" of the free trade zone, the comprehensive bonded zone, and the national development zone, the local area will be based on the mature industrial foundation and closely follow the industry development trends, strive to build a world-class specialty pharmaceutical industry park, and continue to polish the golden sign of "Chinese Pharmaceutical Port". (over)
