Markets

Rumors suggest Hainan province may implement a road maintenance fee for EVs, potentially diminishing EV adoption advantages, especially for ride-hailing services, by creating additional operating costs. The fee, ranging from 0.12 to 0.3 yuan/km, recalls pre-2009 policies. While unverified online, the speculation highlights the broader challenge of funding road maintenance as gasoline tax revenues decline. However, Hainan authorities have denied the rumors, emphasizing the need for transparent communication and sustainable funding models to address concerns about EV adoption’s long-term economic implications and prevent misinformation.

Alcon will showcase its latest advancements in cataract, refractive, and glaucoma technologies at the upcoming ESCRS in Copenhagen. Key highlights include the European launch of UNITY VCS, Clareon Vivity IOL, and Voyager DSLT. Alcon will present over 40 studies, focusing on Vivity IOL outcomes, the CENTURION system’s performance, and Wavelight plus data demonstrating superior refractive outcomes compared to SMILE for myopia correction. These innovations and data aim to strengthen Alcon’s position and expand its market share in Europe.

Faraday Future (FFAI) will host its 919 event showcasing the FX Super One and its crypto initiatives. The event includes updates on homologation, Middle East launch plans, and details about the C10 Treasury. CEO YT Jia recently purchased $180,000 in FFAI stock, signaling confidence. FFAI also allocated $2 million to its crypto treasury, focusing on BNB and LINK, and initiated staking. Shareholders will vote on proposals, including increasing shares for equity incentives.

Tesla’s board proposes a new compensation plan potentially worth $900 billion for Elon Musk, contingent on achieving ambitious market cap and operational targets over the next decade, including reaching an $8.5 trillion market capitalization and delivering 20 million vehicles. If achieved, Musk’s ownership could double. This aims to retain Musk and prioritize Tesla, focusing on autonomous driving, robotaxis, and robots, shifting away from a solely EV-centric model. Success hinges on navigating strategic transitions and competition, amid concerns about inter-company transactions and potential conflicts of interest.

Innovent Biologics presented positive Phase 2 results for tigulixostat (IBI128), a xanthine oxidase inhibitor for gout, at APLAR 2025. The study (NCT06501534) in Chinese patients showed tigulixostat significantly reduced serum uric acid levels compared to febuxostat, with a favorable safety profile and no serious adverse events. Innovent plans to initiate Phase 3 trials in China in the second half of 2025, aiming to address the unmet need for safer and more effective gout treatments amidst concerns about existing therapies.

Dianthus Therapeutics (DNTH) will report topline results from its Phase 2 MaGic trial of claseprubart (DNTH103) in generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG) on September 8, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. EDT. The clinical-stage biotech company, focused on antibody complement therapeutics for autoimmune diseases, will host a conference call and webcast with a Q&A session. Investors can access the webcast via the company’s investor relations website, with a replay available afterward. Claseprubart targets the classical complement pathway, potentially offering a targeted gMG treatment.

SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW) and Huawei are deepening their partnership to advance autonomous driving, smart cockpits, and intelligent manufacturing. The collaboration will integrate Huawei’s technologies, including ADS 4 autonomous driving and HarmonySpace 5 smart cockpit, into SGMW vehicles, starting with the Baojun Huajing S SUV. This also includes using Huawei’s technologies to upgrade SGMW’s proprietary technologies and its Intelligent Island Manufacturing System (I²MS).

IDEAYA Biosciences and Hengrui Pharma presented Phase 1 trial data for IDE849 (SHR-4849), a DLL3-targeting TOP1 ADC, in advanced Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC). Across all SCLC lines, the Overall Response Rate (ORR) was 73.2% with a median Progression-Free Survival (PFS) of 6.7 months. In 2nd-line SCLC, the ORR was 77.1%, with median PFS not reached. Notably, patients with brain metastases showed a confirmed ORR of 66.7%. The safety profile was manageable. This data suggests IDE849 has a potential best-in-class profile and warrants further clinical development.

Daiichi Sankyo and Merck announced positive Phase 2 IDeate-Lung01 trial results for ifinatamab deruxtecan (I-DXd) in previously treated extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). I-DXd demonstrated a 48.2% objective response rate (ORR) in patients who had progressed after platinum-based chemotherapy, with a median duration of response of 5.3 months. Notably, a second-line subset achieved a 56.3% ORR. Discussions with regulatory authorities are underway. The safety profile was consistent with prior observations.

The Huawei China Tour 2025, coinciding with the World Intelligent Industry Expo in Chongqing, focuses on AI’s transformative role in manufacturing. Government officials and industry leaders explored AI-driven upgrades, with Huawei showcasing its strategic, technological, and collaborative ecosystem approach. Chongqing aims to become an AI-centric industrial hub, fostering collaboration with Huawei. The tour highlighted AI applications in various manufacturing aspects, including R&D, production, and supply chains, exemplified by success stories from Seres and Changan Automobile. Huawei is partnering to build a “manufacturing + AI” ecosystem in Chongqing.