1.Evolution and associated factors of out-licensing deals by Chinese biopharmaceutical companies
Xiaoyi YU ; Zhongfei PEI ; Yinuo SUN ; Yifan YAO ; Ming XU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(14):1805-1812
OBJECTIVE To systematically analyze the trends in the volume and value of out-licensing deals by Chinese biopharmaceutical companies over the past two decades, and to quantitatively identify factors associated with deal value, thereby providing an evidence base for policymakers and corporate managers. METHODS Based on the PharnexCloud database, information on out-licensing deals disclosed by Chinese biopharmaceutical companies between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2025 was collected, and executed deals with disclosed specific financial terms were included for analysis. Descriptive statistical analyses of deal value, product characteristics and deal characteristics were performed using Stata SE 18.0; with the natural logarithm of deal value as the dependent variable, stepwise multiple regression models were constructed to examine the associations of product and deal characteristics with deal value. RESULTS A total of 210 out-licensing deals were included, with a cumulative deal value of approximately 214.151 billion dollars and a mean deal value of 1.020 billion dollars . The trading market expanded rapidly from 2020 onward, with the annual deal value reaching a record 95.687 billion dollars in 2025. Multiple regression analysis showed that the deal value of products at the drug discovery stage was significantly lower than that at the preclinical stage [regression coefficient ( β ) =-1.995, 95% confidence interval (CI): -3.256 to -0.734, P <0.05 ] ; the deal value of oncology products was significantly higher than that of other therapeutic areas ( β =0.828, 95%CI: 0.224 to 1.431, P <0.05); global licensing ( β =1.690, 95%CI: 1.107 to 2.273, P <0.05) and co-development arrangements ( β =0.849, 95%CI: 0.084 to 1.615, P <0.05) were significantly associated with higher deal value. CONCLUSIONS Out-licensing deals by Chinese biopharmaceutical companies have achieved significant growth in both volume and value over the past two decades. Oncology products, global licensing, and co-development arrangements are significantly and positively associated with higher deal value.
2.Carbon footprint accounting of traditional Chinese medicine extracts based on life cycle assessment: a case study of mulberry leaf extract from an enterprise.
Zhi-Min CI ; Jian-Xiang OU ; Qiang YU ; Chuan ZHENG ; Zhao-Qing PEI ; Li-Ping QU ; Ming YANG ; Li HAN ; Ding-Kun ZHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(1):120-129
Under the background of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, together with 15 national ministries and commissions, has formulated the Implementation Plan on Establishing a Carbon Footprint Management System, and it is urgent for traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) pharmaceutical enterprises to carry out research on carbon footprint accounting methods of related products. Based on the life cycle assessment(LCA) theory, taking mulberry leaf extract produced by a certain enterprise as an example, this study analyzed the carbon footprint of TCM extracts during the life cycle. The results show that for every 1 kg of product produced, the carbon emissions from the stages of raw material acquisition, transportation, and extract production are-20.569, 1.205, and 173.577 kgCO_2eq(CO_2 equivalent), respectively. The carbon footprint of the product is 154.213 kgCO_2eq·kg~(-1). In addition, the carbon emission is the highest in the production stage, in which the consumption of ethanol solvents makes the greatest contribution to the carbon footprint, accounting for 25.71%, more than one-fourth of the total carbon footprint. The second contribution was from the treatment process of TCM residues, accounting for 19.67%, closely followed by wastewater treatment(17.71%), the consumption of hot steam(17.43%), and drinking water(16.90%). The consumption of electric power and packaging materials has a smaller carbon emission of 2.58%. In particular, the carbon emission caused by the consumption of packaging materials is only 0.04%, which is negligible. The results of the study are expected to provide a reference for TCM enterprises to carry out research on the carbon footprint of products, offer ideas for collaborative innovation in reducing pollution and carbon emissions throughout the entire industry chain of TCM, and develop new quality productivity of modern TCM industry based on green and low-carbon manufacturing.
Morus/chemistry*
;
Plant Leaves/chemistry*
;
Carbon Footprint
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
;
Plant Extracts/analysis*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
3.Review of chemical constituents, pharmacological effects, and quality control status of Eucommiae Cortex and prediction of its Q-markers.
Meng-Fan PENG ; Bao-Song LIU ; Pei-Pei YAN ; Cai-Xia LI ; Xiao-Fang ZHANG ; Yi ZHENG ; Ya-Gang SONG ; Tong LIU ; Lei YANG ; Ming-San MIAO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(4):946-958
Eucommiae Cortex, the dried bark of Eucommia ulmoides( Eucommiaceae), has both medicinal and edible values.Modern research has shown that Eucommiae Cortex contains various components such as flavonoids, lignans, iridoids, phenolic acids,terpenoids, and steroids, which have anti-osteoporosis, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, blood glucose-lowering, and gastrointestinal tract-protecting effects. Eucommiae Cortex has applications in multiple fields such as healthcare, industry, and animal husbandry,demonstrating broad development prospects. This article reviews the chemical constituents, pharmacological effects, and quality control status of Eucommiae Cortex. Furthermore, according to the concept of quality marker(Q-marker), this article predicts the Q-markers of Eucommiae Cortex from traditional medicinal properties, traditional medicinal effects, new medicinal effects, measurability of chemical components, compatibility, harvesting periods, and geographical origins. The components such as pinoresinol diglucoside,chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin, baicalein, baicalin, olivil, coniferyl ferulate, and kaempferol can be used as Q-markers for Eucommiae Cortex, which provide reference for establishing a systematic quality control system for Eucommiae Cortex.
Eucommiaceae/chemistry*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Quality Control
;
Humans
;
Animals
4.Lingguizhugan Decoction improves chronic heart failure by synergistically modulating ?1-AR/Gs/GRKs/?-arrestin signaling bias.
Shuting GUO ; Lei XIA ; Songru YANG ; Yueyang LIANG ; Xiaoli SHAN ; Pei ZHAO ; Wei GUO ; Chen ZHANG ; Ming XU ; Ning SUN ; Rong LU ; Huihua CHEN
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(5):560-571
Lingguizhugan Decoction (LGZG) demonstrates significant efficacy in treating various cardiovascular diseases clinically, yet its precise mechanism of action remains elusive. This study aimed to elucidate the potential mechanisms and effects of LGZG on isoproterenol (ISO) continuous stimulation-induced chronic heart failure (CHF) in mice, providing direct experimental evidence for further clinical applications. In vivo, continuous ISO infusion was administered to mice, and ventricular myocytes were utilized to explore LGZG?s potential mechanism of action on the ?1-adrenergic receptor (?1-AR)/Gs/G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs)/?-arrestin signaling deflection system in the heart. The findings reveal that LGZG significantly reduced the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of hypertrophy-related biomarkers [atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)] and improved cardiac remodeling and left ventricular diastolic function in mice with ISO-induced CHF. Furthermore, LGZG inhibited the overactivation of Gs/cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling and downregulated the downstream transcriptional activity of cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) and the expression of the coactivator CBP/P300. Notably, LGZG downregulated the expression of ?-arrestin1 and GRK 2/3/5 while upregulating the expression of ?1-AR and ?-arrestin2. These results suggest that LGZG inhibits Gs/cAMP/PKA signaling and ?-arrestin/GRK-mediated desensitization and internalization of ?1-AR, potentially exerting cardioprotective effects through the synergistic regulation of the ?1-AR/Gs/GRKs/?-arrestin signaling deflection system via multiple pathways.
Animals
;
Heart Failure/genetics*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Mice
;
Male
;
G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinases/genetics*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Humans
;
Isoproterenol
;
Arrestins/genetics*
;
Chronic Disease
5.Multicolor Fluorescent Copper Nanoclusters/Starch Composites and Their Application in Fingermark Development
Chuan-Jun YUAN ; Ming LI ; Yi-Fei SUN ; Jia-Ming LYU ; Zhi-Bo GAO ; Shi-Qiang SUN ; Pei-Liang HAN ; Feng-He LIU
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(1):55-64,中插1-中插3
On the basis of that the fluorescence wavelength of copper nanoclusters(CuNCs)could cover the entire visible region,multicolor fluorescent CuNCs/starch composites were prepared and applied in fingermark development.With L-glutathione as the reducing agent and protective ligand,blue emissive and orange emissive CuNCs solutions were obtained in alkaline solutions at 90℃and 25℃,respectively.With the aggregation-induced emission effect induced by ethanol as a poor solvent,the fluorescence of orange emissive CuNCs with a higher intensity was achieved in an ethanol-water solution.With ascorbic acid as the reducing agent and 3-mercaptopropionic acid as the protective agent,green emissive CuNCs solution was prepared in an acid solution.Particle morphologies,chemical compositions and optical properties of these three CuNCs above were investigated using physical characterization and spectroscopic analysis,indicating that well-dispersed CuNCs had excellent photoluminescent properties.These CuNCs solutions were combined with starch to form composite powders by simply drying.The influences of the type of CuNCs and the ratio of CuNCs to starch on the emission wavelength and fluorescence intensity of the products were studied.The obtained CuNCs/starch composites could emit blue,green and orange fluorescence under 365 nm ultraviolet light,respectively,which were suitable for fingermark development.Minutiae and partial level-3 features of latent fingermarks could be effectively developed.High-quality fluorescence fingermark images would be captured using appropriate optical filters to eliminate background interference of various substrates.
6.A Multifunctional Electrochemiluminescence Sensor Based on Spatially Resolved Strategy for Synchronously Monitoring Cholesterol and CD44 on Cell Membrane
Shu-Ting FAN ; Ming-Xing XIAO ; Pei-Hui YANG
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(11):1898-1907,中插44-中插48
Cholesterol on the cell membrane plays a crucial role in regulating membrane proteins,influencing cell functions,and the occurrence and development of tumors.The CD44 receptor protein is closely associated with tumor invasion and metastasis.Therefore,developing biosensors capable of in-situ simultaneous monitoring of cholesterol and CD44 receptor protein on the cell membrane is of great significance for disease diagnosis.In this study,a spatially resolved strategy dual-signal multifunctional electrochemiluminescence(ECL)sensor was designed.The positive potential luminescent probe(ALC)was prepared by combining gold nanostars with luminol and cholesterol oxidase(ChOx),and the negative potential luminescent probe(CZA)was prepared by combining carbon quantum dots(CQD)with ZIF-8 and gold nanoparticles(AuNPs).The dual probes were fixed on dual working electrodes respectively to construct a spatial resolution dual signal sensor,and the signals were independently output with K2S2O8 as co-reactant.When the measurement signal of ALC probe was enhanced due to enzymatic catalysis of cholesterol,CZA synchronously output the internal reference signal,realizing ratio ECL detection of cholesterol,with a linear range of 50 nmol/L-1600 μmol/L and a detection limit of 20 nmol/L.Furthermore,after the double probes were respectively modified with folic acid(FA)and hyaluronic acid(HA),a spatially resolved dual-functional cell sensor was constructed by capturing human hepatoma cells HepG2 through ligand-receptor specific recognition.This sensor enabled the simultaneous monitoring of cholesterol-ChOx catalytic reaction and CD44-HA recognition on the cell membrane,as well as the quantitative detection of cancer cells and cholesterol on the cell membrane.The results showed that the linear detection range for HepG2 cell was 100-10000 cell/mL.By reducing cholesterol on the cell membrane using methyl-β-cyclodextrin(MβCD)downregulated CD44 expression,it was found that the cholesterol content was positively correlated with CD44 expression on the cell membrane.The control experiments showed that the analysis method was feasible.The designed ECL sensor could be used to detect cholesterol ratiometrically and provided a new method for the simultaneous analysis of multiple functional molecules in cells.
7.Predicting Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer Using Urine Metabolomics via Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry
Chung-Hsin CHEN ; Hsiang-Po HUANG ; Kai-Hsiung CHANG ; Ming-Shyue LEE ; Cheng-Fan LEE ; Chih-Yu LIN ; Yuan Chi LIN ; William J. HUANG ; Chun-Hou LIAO ; Chih-Chin YU ; Shiu-Dong CHUNG ; Yao-Chou TSAI ; Chia-Chang WU ; Chen-Hsun HO ; Pei-Wen HSIAO ; Yeong-Shiau PU ;
The World Journal of Men's Health 2025;43(2):376-386
Purpose:
Biomarkers predicting clinically significant prostate cancer (sPC) before biopsy are currently lacking. This study aimed to develop a non-invasive urine test to predict sPC in at-risk men using urinary metabolomic profiles.
Materials and Methods:
Urine samples from 934 at-risk subjects and 268 treatment-naïve PC patients were subjected to liquid chromatography/mass spectrophotometry (LC-MS)-based metabolomics profiling using both C18 and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) column analyses. Four models were constructed (training cohort [n=647]) and validated (validation cohort [n=344]) for different purposes. Model I differentiates PC from benign cases. Models II, III, and a Gleason score model (model GS) predict sPC that is defined as National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)-categorized favorable-intermediate risk group or higher (Model II), unfavorable-intermediate risk group or higher (Model III), and GS ≥7 PC (model GS), respectively. The metabolomic panels and predicting models were constructed using logistic regression and Akaike information criterion.
Results:
The best metabolomic panels from the HILIC column include 25, 27, 28 and 26 metabolites in Models I, II, III, and GS, respectively, with area under the curve (AUC) values ranging between 0.82 and 0.91 in the training cohort and between 0.77 and 0.86 in the validation cohort. The combination of the metabolomic panels and five baseline clinical factors that include serum prostate-specific antigen, age, family history of PC, previously negative biopsy, and abnormal digital rectal examination results significantly increased AUCs (range 0.88–0.91). At 90% sensitivity (validation cohort), 33%, 34%, 41%, and 36% of unnecessary biopsies were avoided in Models I, II, III, and GS, respectively. The above results were successfully validated using LC-MS with the C18 column.
Conclusions
Urinary metabolomic profiles with baseline clinical factors may accurately predict sPC in men with elevated risk before biopsy.
8.Clinical efficacy of hallux valgus under the guiding of minimally invasive hallux valgus diagnosis and treatment system.
Pei-Biao CAI ; Yi-Biao DOU ; Chuang-Jian LIN ; Guan-Nan WEN ; Hai-Bo CHEN ; Chuang-Ming WANG
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(6):566-571
OBJECTIVE:
To explore short-term clinical efficacy of minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment system for hallux valgus in guiding the treatment of hallux valgus.
METHODS:
From March 2021 to November 2023, 68 patients (136 feet) with hallux valgus were treated under guidance of minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment system, including 12 males and 56 females;aged from 25 to 68 years old with an average of (42.5±8.5) years old, the course of disease ranged from 3.2 to 15.6 years with an average of (10.3±2.6) years. The changes of hallux valgus angle (HVA) and intermetatarsal angle (IMA), visual analog scale (VAS) and American Orthopaedic Foot Ankle Society (AOFAS) forefoot score were recorded and compared before operation and 12 months after operation.
RESULTS:
Sixty-five patients (130 feet) were followed up for 12 to 15 months with an average of (13.8±0.5) months, 3 patients (6 feet) were not followed up as required. HVA and IMA improved from (35.5±3.5) ° and (12.5±2.0) ° before operation to (10.5±2.5) ° and (8.5±1.5) °12 months after operation, respectively, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05);VAS decreased from (5.5±1.2) before operation to (1.2±0.5) at 12 months after operation, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05);AOFAS forefoot score increased from (50.6±5.1) before operation to (93.8±5.6) at 12 months after operation, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Among them, 102 feet were got excellent result, 24 feet good, and 4 feet fair. Two patients were developed calf intermuscular vein thrombosis, and were cured after 3 months of symptomatic treatment.
CONCLUSION
Under the guidance of minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment system for hallux valgus, the treatment of HV could obviously improve HVA and IMA, and significantly alleviate pain symptoms, and accelerate functional recovery.
Humans
;
Hallux Valgus/diagnosis*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Adult
;
Aged
;
Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/methods*
;
Treatment Outcome
9.Effect of lumbar manipulation for lumbar disc herniation at different protrusion locations based on Michigan State University grading.
Shuai PEI ; Jie YU ; Ming-Hui ZHUANG ; Hong JIANG ; Yu-Wei LI
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(8):786-791
OBJECTIVE:
To study the efficacy of lumbar oblique manipulation in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation with different herniation locations based on MSU classification.
METHODS:
A total of 272 patients with lumbar disc herniation who were treated from June 2023 to December 2023 were divided into central type group, paracentral type group, and far lateral type group. Among them, there were 73 cases in the central type group, including 41 males and 32 females, with an age of (46.39±6.89) years;161 cases in the paracentral type group, including 88 males and 73 females, with an age of (37.14±5.89) years;and 38 cases in the far lateral type group, including 22 males and 16 females, with an age of (28.56±4.89) years. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and straight leg raising angle of the three groups of patients before treatment, after treatment, and at 1 and 3 months after treatment were recorded, and inter-group, intra-group, and correlation comparisons were made.
RESULTS:
A total of 272 patients were followed up, with a follow-up time of (3.0±0.2) months. The VAS score of central type patients after treatment was 2(2, 3) points, which was lower than 4(3, 5) points before treatment, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between 1 month and 3 months after treatment and before treatment (P>0.05). The VAS score of paracentral type patients after treatment 2(2, 3) points and 1 month after treatment 3(2, 4) points were lower than that before treatment 5(4, 6) points, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in VAS between 3 months after treatment and before treatment (P>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in VAS scores of far lateral type patients before treatment, after treatment, and at 1 and 3 months after treatment (P>0.05). The straight leg raising angle of central type patients after treatment 64(58, 69) and 1 month after treatment 58(52, 65) were significantly different from that before treatment 44(40, 51) (P<0.05);there was no statistically significant difference between 3 months after treatment and before treatment (P>0.05). The straight leg raising angle of paracentral type patients after treatment 61(55, 67)°, 1 month after treatment 61(53, 66)°, and 3 months after treatment 47(41, 56)° were significantly different from that before treatment 44(36, 52)° (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the straight leg raising angle of far lateral type patients before treatment, after treatment, and at 1 and 3 months after treatment (P>0.05). There was a correlation between VAS and straight leg raising angle in the three groups of patients, but there was no linear relationship.
CONCLUSION
Lumbar oblique manipulation has a better effect in treating patients with central and paracentral lumbar disc herniation, but a poor effect in treating far lateral type;after treatment, the curative effect of paracentral type patients lasts longer than that of central type patients.
Humans
;
Male
;
Female
;
Intervertebral Disc Displacement/physiopathology*
;
Adult
;
Lumbar Vertebrae/physiopathology*
;
Middle Aged
;
Manipulation, Spinal
10.Research of injury mapping relationship of lumbar spine in reclined occupants between anthropomorphic test devices and human body model.
Yu LIU ; Jing FEI ; Xin-Ming WAN ; Pei-Feng WANG ; Zhen LI ; Xiao-Ting YANG ; Lin-Wei ZHANG ; Zhong-Hao BAI
Chinese Journal of Traumatology 2025;28(2):130-137
PURPOSE:
To judge the injury mode and injury severity of the real human body through the measured values of anthropomorphic test devices (ATD) injury indices, the mapping relationship of lumbar injury between ATD and human body model (HBM) was explored.
METHODS:
Through the ATD model and HBM simulation, the mapping relationship of lumbar injury between the 2 subjects was explored. The sled environment consisted of a semi-rigid seat with an adjustable seatback angle and a 3-point seat belt system with a seatback-mounted D-ring. Three seatback recline states of 25°, 45°, and 65° were designed, and the seat pan angle was maintained at 15°. A 23 g, 47 km/h pulse was used. The validity of the finite element model of the sled was verified by the comparison of ATD simulation and test results. ATD model was the test device for human occupant restraint for autonomous vehicles (THOR-AV) dummy model and HBM was the total human model for safety (THUMS) v6.1. The posture of the 2 models was adjusted to adapt to the 3 seat states. The lumbar response of THOR-AV and the mechanical and biomechanical data on L1 - L5 vertebrae of THUMS were output, and the response relationship between THOR-AV and THUMS was descriptive statistically analyzed.
RESULTS:
Both THOR-AV and THUMS were submarined in the 65° seatback angle case. With the change of seatback angle, the lumbar spine axial compression force (Fz) of THOR-AV and THUMS changed in the similar trend. The maximum Fz ratio of THOR-AV to THUMS at 25° and 45° seatback angle cases were 1.6 and 1.7. The flexion moment (My) and the time when the maximum My occurred in the 2 subjects were very different. In particular, the form of moment experienced by the L1 - L5 vertebrae of THUMS also changed. The changing trend of My measured by THOR-AV over time can reflect the changing trend of maximum stress of L1 and L2 of THUMS.
CONCLUSION
The Fz of ATD and HBM presents a certain proportional relationship, and there is a mapping relationship between the 2 subjects on Fz. The mapping function can be further clarified by applying more pulses and adopting more seatback angles. It is difficult to map My directly because they are very different in ATD and HBM. The My of ATD and stress of HBM lumbar showed a similar change trend over time, and there may be a hidden mapping relationship.
Humans
;
Lumbar Vertebrae/injuries*
;
Finite Element Analysis
;
Biomechanical Phenomena
;
Manikins
;
Spinal Injuries/physiopathology*

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