TransThera Wins NMPA Approval for Cholangiocarcinoma Drug Yochanra

The approval targets adult patients with unresectable or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma harboring FGFR2 fusions who have already exhausted systemic and prior FGFR inhibitor treatments. Clinical evidence for the drug, also known as Tinengotinib, stems from a pivotal Phase II trial involving 50 patients. Data presented at the 2026 ASCO annual meeting showed an objective response rate of 28% and a median overall survival of 20.7 months, offering a lifeline where standard treatment guidelines previously offered no high-level recommendations.

Yochanra functions as a multi-target small-molecule kinase inhibitor, addressing a long-standing hurdle in oncology. While roughly 25% of cholangiocarcinoma cases involve FGFR alterations, the development of secondary mutations often renders existing therapies ineffective. TransThera’s compound utilizes a unique binding mode to maintain efficacy against these resistance sites. With the initial Chinese approval secured, the company is advancing a global Phase III registrational study while exploring the drug’s potential impact on prostate, breast, and liver cancers.