Hengrui Pharma profits jump 22% as innovative drug sales and global pivot accelerate

Hengrui Pharmaceuticals delivered a high-growth start to 2026, underscored by a deepening shift toward its innovative drug portfolio and a successful entry into the U.S. capital markets.

The company’s results highlight the resilience of its core oncology and autoimmune segments, alongside a massive strategic bet on the global metabolic disease market.

For the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, Hengrui reported total revenue of RMB 8.14 billion, representing a 12.98% increase year-over-year.

Net profit attributable to shareholders saw an even more robust surge, climbing 21.78% to RMB 2.28 billion.

The expansion in profitability was largely driven by the high-margin innovative drug segment, which generated RMB 4.53 billion in sales—a 25.75% jump from the prior year.

Innovative therapies now account for a record 61.69% of the company’s total pharmaceutical sales.

The quarter also marked a milestone in Hengrui's "Go Global" strategy.

The company recognized RMB 787 million in out-licensing revenue, stemming from its strategic partnerships with global biotechs.

Most notably, Kailera Therapeutics (NASDAQ:KLRA)—a company formed to house Hengrui’s portfolio of next-generation GLP-1 assets—successfully completed its initial public offering on the Nasdaq.

This listing provides a dedicated platform to advance clinical trials for oral and injectable weight-loss candidates in the Western market.

Meanwhile, Hengrui’s commitment to its pipeline remains aggressive, with R&D spending totaling RMB 2.22 billion, or approximately 27.32% of total revenue.

This investment yielded significant clinical progress during the quarter, including 26 clinical trial approvals and 8 New Drug Applications (NDAs) accepted for review in China.