China's rapid development in the field of CAR-T (chimeric antigen receptor T-cell immunotherapy) has significantly improved patient access and confidence in treatment through technological innovation, breakthroughs in clinical efficacy, policy support, and cost optimization, making it an important destination for CAR-T treatment worldwide. The following analysis examines its appeal to patients based on specific progress:
I、Technological Iteration and Innovation: Broader Coverage and Superior Efficacy
China has transitioned from “following” to “independent innovation” in CAR-T technology, developing distinctive capabilities in target identification, vector design, and process optimization, addressing some pain points in international treatments:
• Diversified Targets: In addition to international mainstream targets (such as CD19 and BCMA), Chinese companies have developed specific targets (such as GPC3, Claudin 18.2, and HER2) for high-incidence tumors in China (such as liver cancer, stomach cancer, and pancreatic cancer). For example, Kezhi Pharmaceutical's Claudin 18.2 CAR-T (CT041) achieved an objective response rate (ORR) of 57% in clinical trials for advanced gastric cancer/gastric esophageal junction adenocarcinoma, making it the first solid tumor CAR-T product globally to enter a confirmatory Phase II trial.
• Dual-target/multi-target design: To address the issue of recurrence with single-target therapies, Legend Biotech's LCAR-B38M (Cidagioren) employs a dual-target approach targeting BCMA/CD38, demonstrating longer progression-free survival (PFS) in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM); The CT120 (CD19/CD22 dual-target CAR-T) developed by Tularo Bio in collaboration with Innovent Biologics achieved a complete response (CR) rate of 82.4% in relapsed/refractory B-cell lymphoma, reducing the risk of relapse.
• Process optimization and universal CAR-T exploration: Using gene editing (e.g., CRISPR) to reduce cytokine release syndrome (CRS) risk, shorten production cycles (some companies have achieved CAR-T cell production within 14 days), and develop universal CAR-T (e.g., GenScript Biotech's GC007g) to reduce patient waiting times and treatment costs.
II、Clinical efficacy and accessibility: Chinese patients benefit more directly
China's CAR-T therapy clinical trials and commercialization progress are advancing rapidly, covering more indications and enabling more convenient patient enrollment:
• Leading number of approved products globally: By 2025, China had 12 CAR-T products approved by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), second only to the United States (20 products), covering hematological tumors (leukemia, lymphoma, MM) and certain solid tumors (such as liver cancer). For example, Fosun Kite's Axicabtagene Ciloleucel (CD19), WuXi AppTec's Riximab (CD19), and Tularo Bio/Innovent Biologics' Ixabepilone (BCMA) are all targeted at relapsed/refractory hematological tumors that are highly prevalent among Chinese patients.
• Localized validation of clinical trial data: Large-scale clinical trials conducted by Chinese companies in China are more aligned with the characteristics of Chinese patients (such as tumor burden and comorbidities), making the efficacy data more relevant. For example, Legend Biotech's Ciltacabtagene Autoleucel achieved a 3-month overall response rate (ORR) of 94.7% in Chinese MM patients, outperforming international counterparts; Kejie Pharma's CT041 achieved a CR rate of 48.6% in Asian gastric cancer patients, significantly higher than similar studies in Europe and the US.
• Lower patient enrollment thresholds: China leads the world in the number of CAR-T clinical trials (accounting for approximately 30% globally), enabling patients to access cutting-edge treatments without needing to travel abroad. Data from 2024 shows that over 150 medical institutions in China are conducting CAR-T clinical trials, covering major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Wuhan, with some second- and third-tier cities (such as Suzhou and Hangzhou) gradually being included.
III、Policy Support and Payment Innovation: Reducing the Economic Burden on Patients
The Chinese government has significantly improved the affordability of CAR-T through regulatory reforms and payment system innovations:
• Accelerated Approval Process: The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has implemented policies such as “priority review” and “breakthrough therapy designation” to shorten the time-to-market for CAR-T products. For example, Axicabtagene Ciloleucel was approved in just 12 months from submission of the marketing application (compared to an average of 2-3 years for similar products internationally), while Riximab was approved in just 10 months.
• Coordination between medical insurance and commercial insurance: Although CAR-T prices remain high (domestic products are priced at approximately 1.2 million to 1.6 million yuan, which is only 1/5 to 1/3 of the price of similar products in the United States), some indications have been covered through medical insurance negotiations or “affordable insurance.” For example, in 2023, Beijing, Shanghai, and other cities will include CAR-T in their “city affordable insurance” programs, with reimbursement rates ranging from 30% to 70%; Fosun Kite's Axicabtagene Ciloleucel is covered by commercial insurance for over 50% of patients.
• Innovative Payment Models: Companies have partnered with financial institutions to introduce “installment payments” and “efficacy insurance” (e.g., partial fee waivers if complete remission is achieved post-treatment), further reducing patients' initial payment burdens.
IV、Full Industry Chain Advantages: Ensuring Treatment Quality and Efficiency
China's mature biopharmaceutical industry chain provides a solid foundation for CAR-T therapy:
• Cell preparation capabilities: Domestic companies (such as WuXi AppTec and Boteng Bio) have established standardized, scalable CAR-T cell production platforms to ensure cell activity and consistency; cold chain logistics networks (such as SF Express's biopharmaceutical transportation services) cover the entire country, with cell transportation times controlled within 48 hours (compared to an international average of 72 hours), reducing the risk of cell activity loss.
• Standardized management of side effects: Tertiary hospitals in China (such as Ruijin Hospital in Shanghai and Peking Union Medical College Hospital) have established specialized CAR-T therapy centers with professional teams to manage side effects such as CRS and neurotoxicity (ICANS), reducing emergency response times to within 30 minutes and significantly improving patient safety.
V、Summary: The core logic behind China's appeal to CAR-T patients
China's progress in the CAR-T field, through a combination of “technological innovation + efficacy validation + policy support + cost optimization,” offers patients better treatment options, shorter waiting times, and lower burdens. In particular, products targeting China's high-incidence cancers (such as gastric cancer, liver cancer, and multiple myeloma) and localized clinical trial data have increased patient trust in the efficacy of Chinese therapies. In the future, with breakthroughs in solid tumor CAR-T and the implementation of universal technologies, China is poised to become a global “innovation hub” and “patient destination of choice” for CAR-T therapy.