Key Takeaways
- The National Healthcare Security Administration plans to introduce a commercial insurance directory for innovative drugs in 2025.
- The Hong Kong stock market saw mixed performance, with the Hang Seng Index up 0.28% and robust activity in biotech stocks.
- Companies like Livzon Pharmaceutical and Kuaishou recorded significant stock price increases, while others like SMOORE International faced declines.
New Insurance Directory for Innovative Drugs
In 2025, the National Healthcare Security Administration will launch a new commercial insurance directory aimed at innovative drugs. This initiative is set to support new pharmaceuticals that possess high clinical value but are struggling with payment bottlenecks.
The stock market in Hong Kong demonstrated varied results, with the Hang Seng Index increasing by 0.28%, or 68 points, reaching 24,658 points. The Hang Seng TECH Index also rose by 0.61%. The morning trading volume was substantial, totaling HKD 157.9 billion.
Several biotech stocks surged, notably Livzon Pharmaceutical, which climbed by an impressive 12.69%, and LUYE Pharma, which gained 7.69%. FOSUN Pharma saw an upturn of over 6%, while AKESO rose by 6.88%. Additionally, the Hang Seng Biotech Index continued its upward trend.
Kuaishou-W achieved a two-year high with a 1.76% increase in its stock price. Analysts at UBS Group are optimistic about the company’s second-quarter advertising business and believe its e-commerce sector has notable potential for growth. Similarly, Tongcheng Travel and Trip.com experienced gains of 3.32% and 2.57%, respectively, reflecting stability in the online travel agency sector.
ANTA Sports reported a 2.73% increase, attributed to mid-single-digit year-over-year growth in retail sales for its brand during the first half of the year. Livzon Pharma also continued to perform well, completing patient enrollment for its Phase II clinical trial of H001, a cardiovascular innovative drug, which led to a 12.69% rise in its shares.
Other gains included Innoscience, which rose by 6.41% as it plans to expand production capacity for gallium nitride wafers, and China XLX Fertilizer, which increased by 3.83% following discussions on stabilizing potassium fertilizer prices.
Conversely, not all stocks flourished. Chongqing M&E saw over a 17% surge due to domestic growth in AIDC, but companies like SMOORE International and Pharmaron faced declines. SMOORE International shares fell by 3.55% while Pharmaron decreased by 5.24% after both companies issued profit warnings for the first half of the year, anticipating major drops in net profits.
Overall, the Hong Kong stock market exhibited a mixture of optimism and caution, with standout performances in specific sectors, particularly in biotech and e-commerce.
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