GUIYANG, China, Aug. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A news report by Huanqiu.com
During the Spring Festival of 2025, the homemade animation blockbuster Nezha 2 topped the charts and gained a cumulative box office of over 15.4 billion yuan. Behind the iconic scenes of molten lava pouring out of the void chasm and the battle of billowy deluge, the massive rendering computing power served as a pillar, of which the Gui’an Supercomputing Center in Guizhou undertook the computing tasks for over 40% of the special effect shots, turning out to be a model of cultural and creative business deeply integrated with computing power. Relying on its leading computing infrastructure, the province has provided cloud rendering computing power services to more than 200,000 users in over 50 countries and regions around the world.
As a crucial node of the computing power development in Guizhou, the phase 2 supporting project for the east-data-west-computing Gui’an New Area computing industry cluster is approaching the final conclusion, with a progress rate of over 85%. This computing center is scheduled to serve as cloud-based data center in Gui’an, to further consolidate the local computing power on the existing basis of 200P, and attract the clustering of movie and television rendering, game production and other businesses at a faster pace.
The computing power service for movie and television rendering is an epitome of Guizhou’s efforts to empower all walks of life with big data industry. From financial risk control, precise weather forecasting and modern agriculture, to intelligent manufacturing, innovative medical and health care, and trade circulation, diverse data elements and mighty computing power are remolding the visionary landscapes of many sectors. The province keeps reinforcing its digital infrastructure to support the digital transformation of various industries. Statistics show that Guizhou’s intelligent computing scale has attained 85 Eflops with the proportion of intelligent computing exceeding 98%, thereby serving as a prime mover for innovations and breakthroughs of AI and big data application.
This year, Guizhou has officially published the Action Plan of Guizhou Province for Promoting High-quality Development of Artificial Intelligence (2025-2027), and endeavored to leverage the ultralarge-scale intelligent computing resources to achieve coordinated development of computing power, empowerment and industry, and accelerate the transformation of AI technological innovations and industrial applications. Five major tasks have been deployed to expand intelligent computing capacity, guarantee high-quality data supply, boost the development of industrial large models, cultivate intelligent industries and optimize digital ecology.
Guizhou proposes to expedite the construction of the east-data-west-computing pivotal node, and build a national intelligent computing highland, so that its total computing power scale will record 260 Eflops by 2027. The efforts on optimizing and upgrading the computing power dispatching platform, and developing a homemade computing power supportive service platform can ensure the efficient supply of computing power resources, which in turn deepen the adaptation and application of domestic computing power in key fields such as government affairs and medical care.
If computing power is taken as the engine, high-quality data can be deemed as the future-proof “high-purity fuel”. In the process of developing data resources, Guizhou plans to build a full-chain data governance system encompassing “acquisition—storage—governance—utilization—appraisal”. The province will give priority to 50+ high-quality industrial datasets, establish a public data directory system, explore the model of “government licensed operation + innovative application by enterprises”, and propel the data circulation of meteorology, medical care and other sectors in an orderly manner.
Recently, Guizhou’s first batch of digital intelligence industrial parks were officially inaugurated, aiming to concentrate on the development of high-quality datasets, the cultivation of data annotation ecology, and the empowerment by AI industry, and form an innovative ecosystem featuring “physical space clustering, specialized service support, and coordinated development of industry chains”. It has been explicitly defined that the province-wide data system should advance industrial upgrading centered on the “Four Data Missions—Market—Optimization” working mechanism, which is to develop high-quality datasets through public data utilization, expand the capacity of market players through business invitation and investment attraction, strengthen the intellectual support through talent introduction and cultivation, promote concentrated development through construction of specialized parks, explore the market through targeted supply-demand matchmaking, and create a favorable business environment through policy optimization.
The triumph of the blockbuster Nezha 2 empowered by Guizhou computing power epitomized the evolution of the “China Big Data Valley “from a data storage center to a platform characterized by integrated storage and computing and prioritized intelligent computing. From the farsighted layout of intelligent computing resources to the supply of high-quality data elements, and then to the institutional innovation of “Four Data Missions—Market—Optimization”, Guizhou is taking a systematic approach to combine the forces of computing power, data and institutional system to deepen the integration between AI and real economy. It has been proven by Guizhou’s transformation that even in deep inland, one can still seize the momentum of digital development to inspire the future.
This photo is for representational purpose only. (Photo credit: Cary Springfield)
Several provinces across Laos have reported solid economic progress in the first half of 2025, according to recent updates from local government offices.
Vientiane Province posted moderate growth of around 3.8 percent, supported by a balance of services, industry, and agriculture. Private investment exceeded expectations, and revenue collection reached over half of the province’s annual target.
Khammouane Province led the way with over 6 percent growth, already surpassing its full-year goal. Local authorities pointed to strong business activity and rising incomes as key drivers.
Savannakhet also showed encouraging signs, with nearly 6 percent growth. The province benefited from mining, renewable energy, and improved farming. Revenue collections were up significantly from last year.
In the northwestern province of Xayabouly, growth reached 5 percent, with local production and government income steadily increasing.
Nationally, Laos’ economy grew by about 4.5 percent, thanks to industry and a rise in foreign investment and tourism. Still, the country faces ongoing challenges, including rising living costs, poor infrastructure, and difficulties collecting taxes.
Government officials have acknowledged that while the growth is welcome, more work is needed to ensure long-term stability and development. Reforms in key areas are expected to be a priority in the months ahead.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 August 2025 –Cushman & Wakefield, a leading global real estate services firm, today released its Life Sciences on the Chinese Mainland – Vital signs: Diagnosing trends in the life sciences real estate market on the Chinese mainland report. It is based on in-depth interview surveys we conducted on professionals active in the life sciences sector on the Chinese mainland. The life sciences industry on the Chinese mainland is undergoing a transformative phase, driven by progressive policies, groundbreaking innovations, the emergence of influential life sciences companies, and strategic regional development. This report delves into the latest trends shaping the sector.
Policy Landscape – National and Local Catalysts
Reforms enacted in 2024-2025 have significantly accelerated sector development. Nationally, China relaxed restrictions on foreign investment in gene and cell therapy and allowed the establishment of wholly foreign-owned hospitals in key cities. Regulatory incentives – such as data protection and marketing exclusivity – have improved market access for innovative drugs. Locally, cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Suzhou are rolling out targeted subsidies, fast-track approvals, and ecosystem-building programmes that directly benefit biotech development.
Recent national policy initiatives on the Chinese mainland
Types of policies
Detail information
Opening to Foreign Investment
In 2024, China eased restrictions on foreign investments in stem cell research, gene therapy, and genetic diagnostics within Free Trade Zones (FTZs) like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, and Hainan.
Regulatory Incentives
The State Council’s Circular No. 53 introduced measures such as regulatory data protection and marketing exclusivity for select pharmaceutical products, including orphan and paediatric drugs.
Wholly Foreign-Owned Hospitals
China now permits the establishment of wholly foreign-owned hospitals in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, enhancing healthcare services and encouraging foreign investment.
Source: Cushman & Wakefield Research
Industry Innovation and Company Growth
Chinese life sciences companies are moving beyond generic drug manufacturing toward innovative therapies. Firms like Akeso, BeiGene, Gracell, and Legend Biotech are now global players, leading in CAR-T, bispecific antibodies, and AI-assisted R&D. These companies are not only commercialising cutting-edge treatments but also attracting international investment and licensing agreements, reinforcing the Chinese mainland’s global relevance in life sciences.
Real Estate Development and Regional Hubs
Innovation hubs such as Suzhou BioBAY, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park (Shanghai), and the Bioisland Innovation Centre (Guangdong) are central to regional clustering. These hubs offer end-to-end support, including shared labs, venture capital access, GMP-compliant facilities, and proximity to academic and clinical networks. The rise of second-tier innovation cities like Chengdu and Ningbo further expands growth corridors.
The “R&D + Manufacturing + Service” ecosystem Source: Cushman & Wakefield Research
Landlord Perspectives – Evolving Real Estate Models
Real estate developers and landlords are adapting to sector-specific requirements through asset-light models, flexible leasing, and high-specification lab and production space. Tier-1 cities face saturation, but central and western regions exhibit healthy demand. Developers are incorporating advanced sustainability and compliance features to meet growing regulatory and ESG expectations, particularly in GMP and cleanroom environments.
Digitalisation, environmental policies, and differentiated tenant strategies are shaping performance. Operators now focus on integrated ecosystems with platforms that link tenants to R&D services, policy benefits, and technology partners.
Occupier Perspectives – Growth, Innovation, and Challenges
Life sciences occupiers are navigating regulatory reform, rising compliance demands, and intensified market competition. Many are localising production and R&D, leveraging regional subsidies, and investing in AI-powered innovation platforms. Occupiers seek flexibility, proximity to talent and infrastructure, and co-located R&D and manufacturing to support accelerated innovation and operational agility.
In real estate, demand is strongest for GMP-certified labs, modular production facilities, and shared innovation platforms. Occupiers emphasise location advantages, sustainability certifications (e.g., LEED, WELL), and integration into clusters that enable faster time-to-market.
Tony Su, Managing Director, National Head of Industrial & Logistics Property Services, China, said, “Life sciences business parks on the Chinese mainland demonstrated clear regional differentiation, highlighting opportunities for strategic positioning. While Tier-1 cities saw more moderate performance due to broader macroeconomic factors and abundant supply, core cities in central and western regions recorded healthy occupancy rates, underpinned by strong industrial clustering and increasingly sophisticated ecosystems – contributing to steady growth in asset value.”
Johnathan Wei, President, Project & Occupier Services, China, said, “Several interviewed life sciences companies on the Chinese mainland achieved revenue growth supported by innovative products and favourable policy tailwinds. While overall growth remained modest for many, a select group reported strong performance, highlighting opportunities for differentiation”.
Andrew Chan, Managing Director, Head of Valuation & Advisory Services, Greater China, said,” Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, growth opportunities lie in AI-driven drug discovery, personalised medicine, advanced therapeutics (CGT, RNA), and green-certified facilities. Government policies continue to support innovation through fast-track approvals, rare disease funding, and subsidies aligned with dual-carbon and ESG goals”.
Shaun Brodie, Head of Research Content, Greater China, “Life sciences real estate is shifting from generic parks to specialised, digitally enabled campuses with high compliance and flexibility. Investment strategies increasingly emphasise long-term partnerships, collaborative operating models, and digital infrastructure. Both landlords and occupiers express cautious optimism, with strategic differentiation and regional targeting seen as keys to unlocking future value”.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Cushman & Wakefield
Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global commercial real estate services firm for property owners and occupiers with approximately 52,000 employees in nearly 400 offices and 60 countries. In Greater China, a network of 23 offices serves local markets across the region. In 2024, the firm reported revenue of $9.4 billion across its core services of Valuation, Consulting, Project & Development Services, Capital Markets, Project & Occupier Services, Industrial & Logistics, Retail, and others. Built around the belief that Better never settles, the firm receives numerous industry and business accolades for its award-winning culture. For additional information, visit www.cushmanwakefield.com.hk or follow us on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/cushman-&-wakefield-greater-china).
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 August 2025 –Cushman & Wakefield, a leading global real estate services firm, today released its Life Sciences on the Chinese Mainland – Vital signs: Diagnosing trends in the life sciences real estate market on the Chinese mainland report. It is based on in-depth interview surveys we conducted on professionals active in the life sciences sector on the Chinese mainland. The life sciences industry on the Chinese mainland is undergoing a transformative phase, driven by progressive policies, groundbreaking innovations, the emergence of influential life sciences companies, and strategic regional development. This report delves into the latest trends shaping the sector.
Policy Landscape – National and Local Catalysts
Reforms enacted in 2024-2025 have significantly accelerated sector development. Nationally, China relaxed restrictions on foreign investment in gene and cell therapy and allowed the establishment of wholly foreign-owned hospitals in key cities. Regulatory incentives – such as data protection and marketing exclusivity – have improved market access for innovative drugs. Locally, cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Suzhou are rolling out targeted subsidies, fast-track approvals, and ecosystem-building programmes that directly benefit biotech development.
Recent national policy initiatives on the Chinese mainland
Types of policies
Detail information
Opening to Foreign Investment
In 2024, China eased restrictions on foreign investments in stem cell research, gene therapy, and genetic diagnostics within Free Trade Zones (FTZs) like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, and Hainan.
Regulatory Incentives
The State Council’s Circular No. 53 introduced measures such as regulatory data protection and marketing exclusivity for select pharmaceutical products, including orphan and paediatric drugs.
Wholly Foreign-Owned Hospitals
China now permits the establishment of wholly foreign-owned hospitals in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, enhancing healthcare services and encouraging foreign investment.
Source: Cushman & Wakefield Research
Industry Innovation and Company Growth
Chinese life sciences companies are moving beyond generic drug manufacturing toward innovative therapies. Firms like Akeso, BeiGene, Gracell, and Legend Biotech are now global players, leading in CAR-T, bispecific antibodies, and AI-assisted R&D. These companies are not only commercialising cutting-edge treatments but also attracting international investment and licensing agreements, reinforcing the Chinese mainland’s global relevance in life sciences.
Real Estate Development and Regional Hubs
Innovation hubs such as Suzhou BioBAY, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park (Shanghai), and the Bioisland Innovation Centre (Guangdong) are central to regional clustering. These hubs offer end-to-end support, including shared labs, venture capital access, GMP-compliant facilities, and proximity to academic and clinical networks. The rise of second-tier innovation cities like Chengdu and Ningbo further expands growth corridors.
The “R&D + Manufacturing + Service” ecosystem Source: Cushman & Wakefield Research
Landlord Perspectives – Evolving Real Estate Models
Real estate developers and landlords are adapting to sector-specific requirements through asset-light models, flexible leasing, and high-specification lab and production space. Tier-1 cities face saturation, but central and western regions exhibit healthy demand. Developers are incorporating advanced sustainability and compliance features to meet growing regulatory and ESG expectations, particularly in GMP and cleanroom environments.
Digitalisation, environmental policies, and differentiated tenant strategies are shaping performance. Operators now focus on integrated ecosystems with platforms that link tenants to R&D services, policy benefits, and technology partners.
Occupier Perspectives – Growth, Innovation, and Challenges
Life sciences occupiers are navigating regulatory reform, rising compliance demands, and intensified market competition. Many are localising production and R&D, leveraging regional subsidies, and investing in AI-powered innovation platforms. Occupiers seek flexibility, proximity to talent and infrastructure, and co-located R&D and manufacturing to support accelerated innovation and operational agility.
In real estate, demand is strongest for GMP-certified labs, modular production facilities, and shared innovation platforms. Occupiers emphasise location advantages, sustainability certifications (e.g., LEED, WELL), and integration into clusters that enable faster time-to-market.
Tony Su, Managing Director, National Head of Industrial & Logistics Property Services, China, said, “Life sciences business parks on the Chinese mainland demonstrated clear regional differentiation, highlighting opportunities for strategic positioning. While Tier-1 cities saw more moderate performance due to broader macroeconomic factors and abundant supply, core cities in central and western regions recorded healthy occupancy rates, underpinned by strong industrial clustering and increasingly sophisticated ecosystems – contributing to steady growth in asset value.”
Johnathan Wei, President, Project & Occupier Services, China, said, “Several interviewed life sciences companies on the Chinese mainland achieved revenue growth supported by innovative products and favourable policy tailwinds. While overall growth remained modest for many, a select group reported strong performance, highlighting opportunities for differentiation”.
Andrew Chan, Managing Director, Head of Valuation & Advisory Services, Greater China, said,” Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, growth opportunities lie in AI-driven drug discovery, personalised medicine, advanced therapeutics (CGT, RNA), and green-certified facilities. Government policies continue to support innovation through fast-track approvals, rare disease funding, and subsidies aligned with dual-carbon and ESG goals”.
Shaun Brodie, Head of Research Content, Greater China, “Life sciences real estate is shifting from generic parks to specialised, digitally enabled campuses with high compliance and flexibility. Investment strategies increasingly emphasise long-term partnerships, collaborative operating models, and digital infrastructure. Both landlords and occupiers express cautious optimism, with strategic differentiation and regional targeting seen as keys to unlocking future value”.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Cushman & Wakefield
Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global commercial real estate services firm for property owners and occupiers with approximately 52,000 employees in nearly 400 offices and 60 countries. In Greater China, a network of 23 offices serves local markets across the region. In 2024, the firm reported revenue of $9.4 billion across its core services of Valuation, Consulting, Project & Development Services, Capital Markets, Project & Occupier Services, Industrial & Logistics, Retail, and others. Built around the belief that Better never settles, the firm receives numerous industry and business accolades for its award-winning culture. For additional information, visit www.cushmanwakefield.com.hk or follow us on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/cushman-&-wakefield-greater-china).
SYDNEY, Aug. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Global management consultancy firm Argon & Co has launched its own work system for operations optimisation with the potential to create approximately $3 billion in productivity gains for Australia’s struggling $47 billion manufacturing industry.
Paul Eastwood, Managing Partner at Argon & Co
“MODE” – an acronym that joins “Manufacturing Optimisation” and “Daily Execution” – combines a structured performance roadmap with coaching and real-time digital tools to improve execution of manufacturing lines at the coalface.
An early pilot achieved a staggering 100 percent increase in line productivity, with the vision to deliver between 2-5% EBIT improvements through direct cost improvements within 2 years of implementation.
MODE was launched in response to global supply chain uncertainty, rising labour costs, and weak capital investment that are currently negatively impacting productivity in Australian manufacturing.
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data shows that Australia’s Q1 2025 manufacturing share of GDP fell to just 5.1 percent, down from 8.9 percent two decades ago and from 15 percent in the mid-1970s.
Manufacturing production in Australia also decreased 2.5 percent in March of 2025 over the same month in 2024.
Argon & Co Managing Partner, Paul Eastwood, estimates that if MODE was implemented across Australia’s entire manufacturing output and delivered a highly conservative improvement of just 10 percent productivity uplift and 2% improvement in other cost levers, this would translate to nearly $3 billion in bottom line benefits.
Spread across the economy, these gains would materially raise GDP, reshape industry competitiveness, and enhance inflation control and living standards, helping to ease pressure on wages and prices, according to Eastwood.
In an environment with such an urgent need for scalable, front-line solutions, MODE’s approach of fast wins plus capability building could rapidly inject much-needed tangible productivity gains into Australian manufacturing, according to Argon & Co.
Paul Eastwood, Managing Partner at Argon & Co said: “Australian manufacturing has spent too long investing in solutions that don’t stick. It’s time to instead build long-term solutions that are appropriate for the realities of our factories today – tight margins, lean teams, and the need to show progress fast.
“Australian manufacturers desperately need to embed a system that drives performance every day, year after year, regardless of who’s on shift or who’s in charge.”
MODE is designed to generate measurable improvements in months, not years, while built-in monitoring and capability enablement ensure the sustainability of these improvements over the long term.
“As a new and agile platform, we have very quickly adopted AI into our thinking, within the next months MODE users will have access to our MODE agent, who will provide insights and analytics to identify the right focus areas for improvement on an daily, weekly and monthly basis ensuring teams are focused on improvement not analysis.” Eastwood said.
Its flexible, modular framework works across diverse sites and sectors, creating scalability and resistance, while supporting government goals for driving national productivity and inflation control.
For the frontline workers, achieving a certain level of capability in MODE can be maintained as they move from one business to the next, with our vision to create a benchmark for the industry when recruiting.
Argon & Co (www.argonandco.com/en/about/) is a global management consultancy that specialises in operations strategy and transformation. Its expertise spans supply chain planning, manufacturing, logistics, procurement, finance, and shared services, working together with clients to transform their businesses and generate real change.
Its people are engaging to work with and trusted by clients to get the job done.
Argon & Co has 17 offices across Europe, Australasia, America, Asia and the Middle East.
BANGKOK, Aug. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — WePlay, a globally leading social entertainment platform, today officially announced a major collaboration with the phenomenal IP, “NaiLoong“! Starting now, this adorable little foodie from another planet – known for its squishy and boundless curiosity – will officially land on WePlay, bringing global users a summer celebration filled with surprises, joy, and culinary exploration.
WePlay x Nailoong Summer Celebration Poster
Cuteness Overload: NaiLoong Arrives on WePlay!
NaiLoong has captured the hearts of countless fans with its iconic chubby yellow body, round head, expressive big eyes, and its “everything is edible” foodie spirit. Its innocent, optimistic, and brave personality, coupled with its endearingly clumsy traits that sometimes lead to small troubles due to its gluttony, make it the perfect messenger of love and joy. This collaboration will infuse WePlay’s social entertainment ecosystem with this unique blend of charm and fun.
Three Major Themed Events to Ignite Summer Passion!
This collaboration features three meticulously planned themed events, allowing users to deeply immerse themselves in a wonderful journey interacting with NaiLoong:
“NaiLoong is Here!”: NaiLoong will make a surprise appearance on WePlay with its soft, squishy, and incredibly cute big belly!
“NaiLoong’s Gourmet Adventure”: Centered around NaiLoong’s “everything is edible” nature, embark on a food exploration journey.
“NaiLoong Grand Carnival!”: Want to experience NaiLoong’s charm amidst the excitement? Enter any voice room, and you might just trigger a “NaiLoong Carnival Party” at any moment!
Achieving New Heights: WePlay’s Continuous Breakthrough in IP Collaboration Strategy
This collaboration not only continues NaiLoong’s humorous and witty brand tone but also showcases WePlay’s innovative capabilities and operational strength in IP partnerships. By continuously introducing beloved top-tier IPs like NaiLoong, WePlay constantly enriches its platform ecosystem, creating more attractive and immersive entertainment and social experiences for users, further solidifying its position as an industry leader.
About WePlay:
WePlay is a next-generation global social entertainment platform under Singapore-based company WeJoy, integrating multiple functions like gaming and entertainment into one comprehensive application. With the mission to “Bring joy and friends to young people around the world” and the vision to “Bring people together through games, lead the trend of global online social entertainment,” WePlay will continue to expand collaborations with top-tier global IPs, fostering cultural exchange through IP brand synergy to build a social ecosystem that better meets the needs of the younger generation.
Newly published research shows up to 77% of patients in Asia Pacific trust and rely on their physicians to decide their treatment for them despite 69% of physicians encouraging patients to engage in shared decision making1.
A new term, coined The 3rd Opinion, is designed to spark a social movement that empowers patients to recognize their vital role in shared decision-making, in a region that is disproportionately impacted by lung cancer2.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 August 2025 – Today, on World Lung Cancer Day, Johnson & Johnson announced the launch of The 3rd Opinion, the patient’s own opinion, a new term that seeks to elevate the patient voice and transform the treatment journey of lung cancer across Asia Pacific by enhancing shared decision making. With significant scientific advancements and more lung cancer treatments becoming available, it is essential for patients to understand their options and actively engage in their care. Johnson & Johnson seeks to empower patients, amplify their voices and ensure that collaborative care becomes a reality for every patient.
According to newly published data on NSCLC patient preferences in Future Oncology, up to 77% of patients in Asia Pacific trust and rely on their physicians to decide their treatment for them despite 69% of physicians encouraging patients to engage in shared decision making[1]. Cultural norms around stigma, not questioning authority, and limited understanding of the disease can often be major barriers causing patients not to voice concerns or ask questions, even when healthcare professionals actively encourage their input.
“Being diagnosed with lung cancer is overwhelming. It’s natural for patients to seek clarity, often by pursuing a second opinion, to better understand their condition and treatment options. However, patients often hesitate to express their concerns and treatment goals, causing them to be overlooked in the decision-making process. By creating space for the patient’s own opinion, The 3rd Opinion, creates a new way of thinking about lung cancer treatment and empowers patients to find their voice,” said Anthony Elgamal, Vice President of Oncology, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine Asia Pacific.
Lung cancer has the highest incidence and mortality rate of all cancers worldwide, with more than 2.5 million people diagnosed every year, and Asia makes up 63% of all patients[2]. Up to 85% of lung cancers are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and Asians are more prone to certain genetic mutations than the rest of the world. One of the most prevalent is a mutation known as EGFR where 30-40% of all NSCLC diagnoses are in Asia, compared to 10-15% in the United States and Europe[3][4][5]. Often being diagnosed at a late stage, less than 20% of people with these genetic mutations survive beyond five years[6], and up to 40% never get the chance to receive a subsequent therapy after first-line treatment.[7][8][9]
“With the disproportionately high prevalence of certain NSCLC mutations in Asia Pacific, we need to think differently about how we treat patients and what more we can achieve with the first treatment. Treatment options have become increasingly complex and clinical decision making should comprehensively consider disease characteristics, patient treatment goals and values, and aim for an individualized balance between survival, longer lasting disease control and side effects. When shared decision making includes all available options, the final decision can be made collaboratively,” said Prof James Chih-Hsin Yang, Director of National Taiwan University Cancer Center and key advocate for The 3rd Opinion initiative.
Mark Brooke, Chief Executive Officer of Lung Foundation Australia, co-author of the Future Oncology publication and an advocate of The 3rd Opinion agreed, “The physician and patient dynamic is one of trust, but we cannot rely on that alone. The consequence is a potential disconnect between the patient and their healthcare professional around treatment preferences and personal goals. For patients, they often want more time above all else – to witness life’s milestones, more moments with loved ones, and more opportunities to simply live. Patients need to be equipped with adequate disease and treatment information, so they can communicate what matters most to them”.
The 3rd Opinion will be launched across multiple markets with educational resources, including a Lung Cancer Book of Answers in China, a patient empowerment video and various shared decision making tools across Asia Pacific to spark a social movement that encourages patients to confidently articulate their personal goals for treatment. The creation of a neologism, like The 3rd Opinion, ensures shared decision making becomes accepted into clinical practice and in turn fosters an environment where the doctor’s expertise and the patient goals come together to design the best treatment plan.
[1] Chee Khoon Lee et al. Navigating advanced lung cancer care, patient–physician alliance, cancer stigma, and psychosocial support in Asia-Pacific: perspectives from patients, caregivers, and physicians. DOI: 10.1080/14796694.2025.2499511
[2] Natia Jokhadze MD, Arunangshu Das MBBS, Don S. Dizon MD. Global cancer statistics 2022: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. Volume 74Issue 3CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians pages: 224-226 First Published online: April 4, 2024
[3] Keedy VL, et al. American Society of Clinical Oncology Provisional Clinical Opinion: Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Mutation Testing for Patients with Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Considering First-Line EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Therapy. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2011; 29(15): 2121-2127.
[4] Ellison G, et al. EGFR Mutation Testing in Lung Cancer: a Review of Available Methods and Their Use for Analysis of Tumour Tissue and Cytology Samples. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2013; 66(2): 79-89.
[5] Korpanty G, et al. Biomarkers That Currently Affect Clinical Practice in Lung Cancer: EGFR, ALK, MET, ROS-1, and KRAS. Frontiers in Oncology. 2014; 4: 204.
[6] Bazhenova L, Minchom A, Viteri S, et al. Comparative clinical outcomes for patients with advanced NSCLC harboring EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations and common EGFR mutations. Lung Cancer. 2021;162:154-161.
[7] Nieva J, Karia PS, Okhuoya P, et al. A real-world (rw) observational study of long-term survival (LTS) and treatment patterns after first-line (1L) osimertinib in patients (pts) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive (m) advanced non-small cell lung cancer [ESMO abstract 1344P]. Ann Oncol. 2023;34(suppl 2):S774
[8] Lee JY, Mai V, Garcia M, et al. Treatment patterns and outcomes of first-line osimertinib-treated advanced EGFR mutated NSCLC patients: a real-world study [IASLC abstract EP08.02-082]. Presented at: IASLC 2022 World Lung Conference on Lung Cancer; August 6-9, 2022; Vienna, Austria.
[9] Girard N, Leighl NB, Ohe Y, et al. Mortality among EGFR-mutated advanced NSCLC patients after starting frontline osimertinib treatment: a real-world, US attrition analysis. Presented at: the European Lung Cancer Congress; March 29-April 1, 2023; Copenhagen, Denmark. Poster 19P.
Hashtag: #Johnson&Johnson
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About The 3rd Opinion
“The 3rd Opinion”, the patients own opinion, is a new term that sparks a social movement in the lung cancer treatment journey – designed to elevate the patient voice and empower individuals to take an active role in shaping their treatment plan. By prioritizing shared decision-making between patients and healthcare professionals, this collaborative approach ensures that treatment choices are aligned to each patient’s goals, preferences and circumstances. This results in more informed decisions, greater patient satisfaction, and the best possible outcomes.
About Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Worldwide, lung cancer is one of the most common cancers, with NSCLC making up 80 to 85 percent of all lung cancer cases.[10], [11] The main subtypes of NSCLC are adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.[12] Among the most common driver mutations in NSCLC are alterations in EGFR, which is a receptor tyrosine kinase controlling cell growth and division.[13]EGFR mutations are present in 10 to 15 percent of Western patients with NSCLC with adenocarcinoma histology and occur in 40 to 50 percent of Asian patients.[14], [15],[16],[17],[18],[19] EGFR ex19del or EGFR L858R mutations are the most common EGFR mutations.[20] The five-year survival rate for all people with advanced NSCLC and EGFR mutations treated with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) is less than 20 percent. [21], [22]EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations are the third most prevalent activating EGFR mutation.[23] Patients with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations have a real-world five-year overall survival (OS) of eight percent in the frontline setting, which is worse than patients with EGFR ex19del or L858R mutations, who have a real-world five-year OS of 19 percent.[24]By comparison, other common cancers, such as breast and prostate cancer have a 5-year real world OS of 90% and 97% respectively[25].
[10]The World Health Organization. Cancer. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cancer. Accessed March 2025.
[11] American Cancer Society. What is Lung Cancer? https://www.cancer.org/content/cancer/en/cancer/lung-cancer/about/what-is.html. Accessed March 2025.
[12] Oxnard JR, et al. Natural history and molecular characteristics of lung cancers harboring EGFR exon 20 insertions. J Thorac Oncol. 2013 Feb;8(2):179-84. doi: 10.1097/JTO.0b013e3182779d18.
[13] Bauml JM, et al. Underdiagnosis of EGFR Exon 20 Insertion Mutation Variants: Estimates from NGS-based Real World Datasets. Abstract presented at: World Conference on Lung Cancer Annual Meeting; January 29, 2021; Singapore.
[14] The World Health Organization. Cancer. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cancer. Accessed March 2025.
[15] American Cancer Society. What is Lung Cancer? https://www.cancer.org/content/cancer/en/cancer/lung-cancer/about/what-is.html. Accessed March 2025.
[16] Pennell NA, et al. A phase II trial of adjuvant erlotinib in patients with resected epidermal growth factor receptor-mutant non-small cell lung cancer. J Clin Oncol. 37:97-104.
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The United States’ updated reciprocal tariff regime officially took effect today, hitting several Southeast Asian economies with a range of steep new import taxes.