HUTCHMED Announces Update on Licensed Oncology Product TAZVERIK® in China
MWN-AI** Summary
HUTCHMED (China) Limited has announced significant developments regarding its licensed oncology product, TAZVERIK® (tazemetostat), originally obtained from Epizyme, Inc. Following a voluntary withdrawal of TAZVERIK® from the U.S. market by Ipsen, HUTCHMED is taking immediate actions to initiate a market withdrawal and recall in China, including Hong Kong and Macau. Consequently, the company is discontinuing all ongoing clinical trials involving tazemetostat.
Ipsen has communicated that the decision to withdraw TAZVERIK® stems from emerging safety concerns identified during the Phase Ib/III SYMPHONY-1 trial, particularly regarding adverse events linked to secondary hematologic malignancies. Patients currently involved in these trials are being transitioned to standard-of-care treatments with lenalidomide and rituximab, while newly enrolling participants will be halted.
HUTCHMED has emphasized that patient safety is its utmost priority. In response to the withdrawal, the company has promptly informed healthcare professionals and relevant authorities, including regulatory bodies in China and Macau. They have ceased all sales and prescriptions of TAZVERIK® and are cooperating with regulators to ensure a smooth withdrawal process.
TAZVERIK® received initial conditional approval from the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for the treatment of follicular lymphoma, but its continued registration is contingent on meeting ongoing regulatory obligations. Despite the withdrawal of the product, HUTCHMED stated it does not anticipate a significant impact on its financial forecast, noting that sales of TAZVERIK® were reported at $2.5 million in 2025. HUTCHMED remains committed to developing innovative cancer therapies, with a focus on patient safety and therapeutic efficacy.
MWN-AI** Analysis
HUTCHMED's recent announcement regarding the withdrawal of TAZVERIK® (tazemetostat) from the Chinese market raises significant concerns for investors. The decision follows Ipsen's opt-out in the U.S. due to safety concerns tied to adverse events among patients, prompting HUTCHMED to halt sales and clinical trials of the drug in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and Macau.
From a market perspective, this development could foster a cautious outlook on HUTCHMED's stock. Although the company stated this withdrawal would not impact their financial guidance and reported sales of TAZVERIK® at merely $2.5 million in 2025, the long-term ramifications of such a withdrawal may outweigh immediate financials. Investors should take note of the potential loss of credibility and future revenue streams, particularly with ongoing regulatory scrutiny relating to safety.
Furthermore, HUTCHMED essentially acts as a licensee in this context, reliant on the actions and decisions of Ipsen and Epizyme. The research community's focus will likely pivot toward HUTCHMED's other pipeline assets, especially as they hinge on favorable regulatory reviews and market acceptance to offset the loss of TAZVERIK®.
Given these dynamics, investors should adopt a risk-averse posture. In the near term, it might be prudent to follow the company's actions closely, particularly updates regarding alternative therapies or pipeline advancement. Monitoring patient sentiment and healthcare professionals’ responses to these developments can provide clarity on the drug's perceived safety and efficacy, which are critical for HUTCHMED's reputation and future growth. Meanwhile, diversifying the portfolio and keeping an informed stance on industry trends will be essential for navigating this period of uncertainty.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
HONG KONG and SHANGHAI and FLORHAM PARK, N.J., March 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HUTCHMED (China) Limited (“HUTCHMED” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq/AIM:HCM; HKEX:13) today announces an update regarding TAZVERIK® (tazemetostat), an oncology therapy licensed from Epizyme, Inc. (“Epizyme”), an Ipsen (“Ipsen”) company, in China. Epizyme is the Marketing Authorization Holder of TAZVERIK® in the Chinese mainland, for which HUTCHMED Limited (a subsidiary of the Company) acts as the domestic agent/licensee. Ipsen has informed HUTCHMED that it is voluntarily withdrawing TAZVERIK® in the US. As a result, steps have been taken to initiate the market withdrawal and product recall in China. Consequently, HUTCHMED Limited has initiated a withdrawal and product recall from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macau, and is discontinuing all active tazemetostat clinical trials. Existing patients should consult their treating physicians immediately to discuss their treatment options.
Ipsen is the sponsor of the ongoing Phase Ib/III SYMPHONY-1 trial (evaluating tazemetostat in combination with lenalidomide plus rituximab (“R²”) vs R² in follicular lymphoma). As informed by Ipsen, following a review of emerging data from SYMPHONY-1, the study Independent Data Monitoring Committee advised that, based on adverse events of secondary hematologic malignancies, the risks may outweigh potential benefits for patients within this treatment regimen. As a result of these data, Ipsen is withdrawing TAZVERIK® effective immediately, including both for follicular lymphoma (“FL”) and epithelioid sarcoma (ES).
Ipsen has announced that, in addition to withdrawing TAZVERIK® from the market, Ipsen has initiated steps to stop treatment with tazemetostat for all patients currently enrolled in the ongoing SYMPHONY-1 trial. All participants will receive standard of care, lenalidomide plus rituximab only. The study will remain open, with no further enrollment, to continue the long-term safety follow-up of all participants. Ipsen is also discontinuing all active tazemetostat clinical trials and expanded access programs. Ipsen is working with the US Food and Drug Administration (“US FDA”) on the next steps to execute the withdrawal of TAZVERIK® and provide all necessary information to complete this process.
The safety and wellbeing of patients is HUTCHMED’s top priority. In alignment with this commitment, HUTCHMED Limited has promptly informed healthcare professionals, the China National Medical Products Administration (“NMPA”), the Hong Kong Department of Health and the Macau Health Bureau of this development. Upon becoming aware of this information, HUTCHMED Limited immediately placed the product on hold, suspending all sales and shipments, and notified healthcare institutions to cease prescribing it and pharmacies to stop dispensing it. HUTCHMED Limited has also immediately notified clinical trial sites in China to discontinue the use of tazemetostat. Furthermore, HUTCHMED Limited is also actively cooperating with regulatory authorities to determine the appropriate next steps for the withdrawal and recall of TAZVERIK® in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macau.
TAZVERIK® is a first-in-class methyltransferase inhibitor of EZH2 developed by Epizyme. TAZVERIK® monotherapy was approved by the US FDA in 2020 under the US FDA accelerated approval program. TAZVERIK® received conditional approval from the NMPA for the treatment of FL as an imported drug. This approval pathway incorporates the evaluation of overseas trial data, references overseas regulatory approvals, and bridging study data to adapt foreign trial results to the Chinese population. Continued registration of TAZVERIK® is subject to continuing obligations, including reporting of changes in foreign regulatory status, new safety signals and new evidence affecting the benefit-to-risk profile to patients.
The withdrawal is not expected to impact the Company’s financial guidance. In 2025, HUTCHMED sales of TAZVERIK® were US$2.5 million.
About HUTCHMED
HUTCHMED (Nasdaq/AIM:HCM; HKEX:13) is an innovative, commercial-stage, biopharmaceutical company. It is committed to the discovery and global development and commercialization of targeted therapies and immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer and immunological diseases. Since inception it has focused on bringing drug candidates from in-house discovery to patients around the world, with its first three medicines marketed in China, the first of which is also approved around the world including in the US, Europe and Japan. For more information, please visit: www.hutch-med.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect HUTCHMED’s current expectations regarding future events, including its expectations regarding the therapeutic potential of tazemetostat, the further clinical development for tazemetostat, its expectations as to whether any studies on tazemetostat would meet their primary or secondary endpoints, and its expectations as to the timing of the completion and the release of results from such studies. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include, among other things, assumptions regarding enrollment rates and the timing and availability of subjects meeting a study’s inclusion and exclusion criteria; changes to clinical protocols or regulatory requirements; unexpected adverse events or safety issues; the ability of tazemetostat, including as a combination therapy, to meet the primary or secondary endpoint of a study, to obtain regulatory approval in other jurisdictions and to gain commercial acceptance after obtaining regulatory approval; the potential market of tazemetostat for a targeted indication; and HUTCHMED and/or its partner’s ability to fund, implement and complete its further clinical development and commercialization plans for tazemetostat, and the timing of these events. In addition, as certain studies rely on the use of other drug products such as R2 as combination therapeutics with tazemetostat, such risks and uncertainties include assumptions regarding the safety, efficacy, supply and continued regulatory approval of these therapeutics. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. For further discussion of these and other risks, see HUTCHMED’s filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited and on AIM. HUTCHMED undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this announcement, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.
Medical Information
This announcement contains information about products that may not be available in all countries, or may be available under different trademarks, for different indications, in different dosages, or in different strengths. Nothing contained herein should be considered a solicitation, promotion or advertisement for any prescription drugs including the ones under development.
CONTACTS
| Investor Enquiries | +852 2121 8200 / ir@hutch-med.com |
| Media Enquiries | |
| FTI Consulting – | +44 20 3727 1030 / HUTCHMED@fticonsulting.com |
| Ben Atwell / Tim Stamper | +44 7771 913 902 (Mobile) / +44 7779 436 698 (Mobile) |
| Brunswick – Zhou Yi | +852 9783 6894 (Mobile) / HUTCHMED@brunswickgroup.com |
| Panmure Liberum | Nominated Advisor and Joint Broker |
| Atholl Tweedie / Emma Earl / Rupert Dearden | +44 20 7886 2500 |
| Cavendish | Joint Broker |
| Geoff Nash / Nigel Birks | +44 20 7220 0500 |
| Deutsche Numis | Joint Broker |
| Freddie Barnfield / Jeffrey Wong / Duncan Monteith | +44 20 7260 1000 |
FAQ**
How has HUTCHMED (China) Limited HCM's market withdrawal of TAZVERIK® impacted its reputation and operations in Hong Kong, considering the drug's previous approval and its clinical trial activities?
With the recall of TAZVERIK® in Shanghai, what measures is HUTCHMED (China) Limited HCM taking to ensure patient safety and continued care amidst the discontinuation of clinical trials and treatments?
In what ways might the voluntary withdrawal of TAZVERIK® by HUTCHMED (China) Limited HCM affect future regulatory decisions in Hong Kong and Shanghai regarding oncology therapies?
What challenges does HUTCHMED (China) Limited HCM foresee in re-establishing trust and participation in clinical trials following the withdrawal of TAZVERIK® in Florham Park, N.J. and its resultant effects on the company’s growth in Hong Kong and Shanghai?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about HUTCHMED (China) Limited (NASDAQ: HCM).
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