CRO concept stocks faced downward pressure in Hong Kong trading. As of press time, PHARMARON (03759) declined 4.32% to HK$21.24, while JOINN (06127) fell 3.29% to HK$21.16. ASYMCHEM (06821) dropped 2.31% to HK$78.15, and VIVA BIOTECH (01873) slid 1.98% to HK$1.98.
The market movement follows the U.S. Senate's passage of the revised Biosecure Act as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (2026 NDAA) on December 18 (Beijing time). The bill, approved 77-20, has now completed major legislative procedures in both chambers and awaits presidential signing.
Analysts note that while the Biosecure Act has weighed on CRO sector valuations over the past two years, the final version appears more moderate as it doesn't specify targeted companies. With the Federal Reserve entering an interest rate cut cycle and potential improvement in global biopharma financing, the CRO sector may see both earnings recovery and valuation rebound following the bill's enactment.
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