What happened
China's drug regulator conditionally approved hydrochloride istevite tablets (brand name Apuswei), an innovative drug jointly developed by Westlake University, Westlake Laboratory and Westlake Pharmaceuticals. It is Westlake University's first fully self-developed Class 1 innovative drug, the world's first small-molecule drug approved based on DNA-encoded library (DEL) technology, and China's first original drug approved with AI-assisted R&D. The drug took just three and a half years from discovery to completion of clinical trials, after the DEL concept was proposed 34 years earlier.
Separately, reports suggest Apple's new CEO may unveil the company's first foldable phone at the September 9 autumn product launch, according to the securities daily's digest. Meanwhile, China's CAS Institute of Physical and Chemical Technology developed an iron-based alloy substrate for second-generation high-temperature superconducting tape, cutting raw material costs to a quarter of conventional Hastelloy, with potential applications in fusion and superconducting power. The digest also listed policy standards on robotics, bus terminals and intelligent computing, along with multiple corporate deals and capital flow data.
Why it matters
The drug approval marks a milestone for AI-enabled drug discovery in China. Combining AI screening with DNA-encoded library technology could compress the traditional multi-year drug pipeline, potentially reshaping how pharmaceutical companies hunt for candidates in massive chemical spaces.
If Apple does enter the foldable market at its September event, the category could shift from a niche to a mainstream premium segment, given Apple's installed base, though that prospect remains unconfirmed. Other developments in the digest indicate a broader policy push in areas like robot performance standards, battery recycling and intelligent computing infrastructure.
The superconducting tape breakthrough is significant for high-power applications: lower-cost iron-based substrates could accelerate adoption in strong magnetic and electrical fields, where superconductor performance under deformation is critical.
Key facts
Westlake University's drug hydrochloride istevite tablets received conditional approval from China's drug regulator and is the country's first AI-assisted original drug to be approved.
It is the first small-molecule drug approved worldwide based on DNA-encoded library (DEL) technology, with the concept proposed 34 years ago.
Apple's new CEO may release Apple's first foldable phone at the September 9 autumn launch event, according to the news digest.
What to watch next
Watch for Apple's official announcement on September 9 to confirm or dismiss the foldable phone reports.
See how quickly Westlake's newly approved drug reaches patients and whether AI/DEL-based pipelines gain broader industry adoption in China.
Track downstream adoption of the new iron-based superconducting tape in fusion, power and accelerator projects, as well as implementation of the newly published national standards.