Revolution in Oncology: How does China reduce cancer treatment costs by 99%?

Over the last decade, China has become a global leader in innovative cancer treatments, competing with Western pharmaceutical giants. Thanks to breakthrough technologies specified as personalized mRNA vaccines, Chinese biotechnology start-ups reduce cancer treatment costs by up to 99% compared to prices in the West. How is that possible? And will China dominate the oncological marketplace by the end of this decade?

From discipline fiction to reality: mRNA in the fight against cancer

Even 10 years ago, treatment with a personalized anticancer mRNA vaccine seemed to be a luxury available only to the wealthiest – the cost of treating 1 patient reached even $1 million. present companies like Likang Life Sciences and ZSky from Beijing they are working to make the prices of these therapies fall to 100,000 yuan (approx. $13,800) For full treatment.

– “This is not discipline fiction. Our solutions are not only cheaper but more effective than conventional methods” – says Chen Li, founder of Likang Life Sciences, whose company was the first to receive approval in China US FDA for clinical trials of mRNA vaccine LK101.

Why can China be cheaper than the West?

The key to success of Chinese companies is optimization of production costs and an innovative technological approach. While Western companies, specified as Moderna and BioNTech, invest in full mRNA synthesis, Chinese start-ups usage hybrid solutions that combine mRNA technology with dendritic cells (DC) Patient.

– “Our method is simpler and cheaper in quality control and synthesis. Early tests show better effectiveness and lower hazard of recurrence" – explains Cheng Xudong, founder of ZSky who had previously worked as a biologist on Northwestern University.

Comparison of costs:

Source: SCMP analysis (2024), Nature Biotechnology (2025)

Accelerated clinical trials and AI as a game-changer

Chinese companies besides usage Artificial intelligence (AI) for faster plan of personalized therapies. improvement own language models (LLM)such as Ernie Bot (Baidu) or DeepSeek (DeepSeek AI), cancer mutation analysis is faster and more accurate than always before.

– “With AI we can identify therapeutic targets within hours alternatively than weeks” – Cheng emphasizes.

W 2023 both Likang and ZSky received Chinese approval National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) to start clinical trials. Phase I was successful, and the preparations for Phase II are presently underway.

100% endurance in patients with liver cancer

Likang's investigation results are promising. W 2018 studyin which she participated 24 patients with liver cancer, an experimental mRNA vaccine group noted 100% endurance after 5 yearsWhile in the control group they died 3 people. These results were presented at the convention American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in 2024.

– “If further phases confirm these results, we can revolutionize the treatment of advanced cancers” – Chen speaking.

Will China surpass Moderna and BioNTech?

Moderna announced that to 2027. will launch its anticancer vaccine, developed in cooperation with Merc. Cheng of ZSky, however, believes that Chinese companies can simultaneously or even earlier get regulatory approval.

– “We have an advantage in the form of lower investigation costs, faster patient recruitment and better access to clinical data” – explains.

Challenges: accessibility and inequality

Despite progress, cost inactive remains a barrier for many patients. As he notes Neeha Zaidi, pancreatic cancer specialist with Johns Hopkins University, even a simplification to $100,000 USD may be besides advanced for healthcare systems in developing countries.

Will China be able to supply universal access For these treatments? So far, the Chinese government is investing in subsidies and public-private partnerships to lower prices.

New era in oncology

To 2027. We can see first commercial mRNA therapies Anticancers from China. If we can keep the current pace of development, costs can fall even less than USD 10,000 for treatment, which would be a breakthrough in the global fight against cancer.

– “It’s like building a spaceship erstwhile everyone thought it was impossible” – concludes Chen.

Source:

• South China Morning Post (2023) – “What if curing cancer could cost 99% little in China?”
• Nature Biotechnology (2025) – “Advances in mRNA cancer vaccines: A global perspective”
• American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO 2024) – Clinical trial data from Likang Life Sciences
• Johns Hopkins medicine (2023) – Interview with Dr. Neeha Zaidi
• National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) – Regulatory adoptions (2023-2025)

The article was developed on the basis of current data as at 22 May 2025.

Leszek B. Glass

Email: [email protected]

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