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2026

Rare Disease Day: Science for Patients. Strength for Lives.

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February 28, 2026

Rare Disease Day: Science for Patients. Strength for Lives.

Rare diseases affect nearly 300 million people worldwide, including around 20 million in China. On February 28, 2026, as we mark the 19th International Rare Disease Day, WuXi Biologics is taking a moment to listen, to reflect, and to reaffirm the commitment we make to the rare disease community through scientific innovation and community engagement.

This year, let’s start with the story of Maimai (pseudonym).

By the banks of the Huangpu River, with warm sunlight on their faces, Maimai walks hand in hand with her mother. Her movements are open and unhurried—already a touch more fluid than a few months ago.

“Feels good,” she says.

Maimai and her mother

The story does not end with Maimai. Because behind Maimai’s progress is the saga of the development of an innovative therapy.

Last year, CANbridge Pharmaceuticals — empowered by WuXi Biologics — received NMPA approval for veraglucosidase beta for injection, China’s first and currently only domestically developed enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for Gaucher disease.

With comprehensive end-to-end support under WuXi Biologics’ CRDMO business model, the joint team was able to take a novel concept and — in less than seven years — translate it into a therapy that can benefit Maimai and many other Gaucher patients.

Maimai under treatment

This program also delivered multiple innovations within WuXi Biologics and across the industry. The leveraging of WuXi Biologics’ proprietary, high-efficiency, continuous bioprocessing platform WuXiUP™ achieved an overall productivity increase of over 110-fold and a more than 50% improvement in specific enzyme activity, advances that can help expand patient access through lower costs.

The new Gaucher disease ERT is also the first innovative biologic in China to pass inspection for segmented manufacturing, with drug substance and drug product produced separately at WuXi Biologics’ Shanghai and Wuxi facilities — effectively shortening time‑to‑market and reducing manufacturing costs.

As public health and rare disease challenges continue, WuXi Biologics remains committed to leveraging its integrated CRDMO platform and capabilities to help more rare disease developers accelerate high-quality innovation for patients worldwide. To date, WuXi Biologics has supported 23 rare disease projects, successfully empowering the launch of three commercial rare disease therapies.

At the same time, WuXi Biologics continues its efforts to connect resources and broaden public awareness, so more people will see, understand, and support the rare disease community.

“Together for Gaucher Cure”

Ahead of last year’s Gaucher Disease Awareness Day, the WuXi Biologics’ global 2025 Run for Health charity event launched again, with the theme “Together for Gaucher Cure”.

The Run for Health is an example of WuXi Biologics’ dedication to raising awareness of rare diseases and improving public health through action. Since the inaugural Run in 2023, more than 4,000 employees and family members — across five countries and 10 cities — have participated, turning their steps into a message of solidarity.

Run for Health footprints across the globe

Meanwhile, our education support initiative for the rare disease community has resolutely continued. Since 2021, WuXi Biologics has partnered with the Illness Challenge Foundation to provide scholarships for students living with rare diseases, helping them overcome barriers to learning and enabling them to pursue a brighter future.

By the end of 2025, the program had supported nearly 130 students across 27 rare diseases, building a network that spans 62 cities across China. Among them, three students have received scholarships for four consecutive years, six students for three consecutive years, and 26 students for two consecutive years.

On this year’s Rare Disease Day, WuXi Biologics and the Illness Challenge Foundation are launching the fifth phase of our Education Support Program for the Rare Disease Community.

We will provide 40 scholarships of RMB 2,000–3,000 each, along with certification from the Foundation, to high school and university students living with rare diseases. The program also offers medical referrals, medical assistance, and other support services to help ease academic and psychological pressures and improve quality of life.

For detailed application information regarding the scholarships — including eligibility criteria, how to apply, and the review process — please refer to the link. Thanks to the WuXi Biologics Charity Foundation for supporting this year’s scholarships. The application deadline is June 30, 2026.

“As long as there remains even a trace of strength to rise, the future will be lit once again.”

Maimai’s story shows us exactly that — and reminds us that where science and society work together, new hope takes root.

About WuXi Biologics

WuXi Biologics (stock code: 2269.HK) is a leading global Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO) offering end-to-end solutions that enable partners to discover, develop and manufacture biologics – from concept to commercialization – for the benefit of patients worldwide.

With over 12,000 skilled employees in China, the United States, Ireland, Germany, Singapore and Qatar, WuXi Biologics leverages its technologies and expertise to provide customers with efficient and cost-effective biologics discovery, development and manufacturing solutions. As of December 31, 2025, WuXi Biologics is supporting 945 integrated client projects, including 74 in Phase III and 25 in commercial manufacturing.

WuXi Biologics views Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) responsibilities as an integral component of our ethos and business strategy, and we aim to become an ESG leader in the biologics CRDMO sector. Our facilities use next-generation biomanufacturing technologies and clean-energy sources. We have also established an ESG committee led by our CEO to steer the comprehensive ESG strategy and its implementation, enhancing our commitment to sustainability.

For more information about WuXi Biologics, please visit: www.wuxibiologics.com

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