By John Meyer, consultant in financial affairs – Eurasia Business News, July 22, 2025. Article no. 1643
China is increasingly challenging the US and Europe in pharmaceuticals, driven by rapid innovation, regulatory reforms, and demographic shifts that fuel robust growth and a surge in novel drug development.
In 2025, China accounts for about 31% of the global pipeline of innovative new drugs, second only to the US at 35%, with a strong leadership in cutting-edge areas like antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific antibodies, and CAR-T therapies, where over 50% of clinical assets are China-originated. Chinese biotech companies have moved from imitation to becoming innovation leaders, producing more novel drug candidates annually than the EU and nearly matching the US.
China’s pharmaceutical market is expanding rapidly, forecasted to grow at about 7.2% CAGR from 2025 through 2033, reaching nearly $573 billion by 2033. This growth is propelled by sweeping healthcare reforms that improve drug accessibility, affordability, and regulatory efficiency via streamlined approvals, National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) expansions, and volume-based procurement programs.
Regulatory reforms under 2024-2025 initiatives support harmonization with global standards, faster drug approval, and enhanced transparency in clinical trials, fostering a more innovation-friendly environment that benefits both domestic and foreign companies. Government policies also encourage R&D investment in high-impact areas such as oncology, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and biologics.
Read also : Gold : Build Your Wealth and Freedom
The rise of China-originated pharmaceuticals is reshaping global licensing deals, with assets from Chinese biotechs expected to make up nearly 40% of global licensing deals in 2025, signaling increasing dominance in dealmaking.
This dynamic is evident in the competition surrounding blockbuster drugs like Keytruda (immunotherapy) and Ozempic (GLP-1 for diabetes and obesity), where Chinese innovations and growing domestic manufacturing capability threaten to erode US and European market shares. China’s ability to rapidly develop and commercialize novel therapeutics at scale presents a serious competitive challenge.
Read also : Tax Management strategies for Digital Nomads
Overall, China’s combination of a vast and growing domestic market, skilled innovation ecosystem, supportive regulations, and strategic public health priorities positions it as a formidable competitor pushing US and European pharmaceutical leaders to adapt or partner to sustain global leadership.
Our community already has nearly 150,000 readers!
Subscribe to our Telegram channel
Follow us on Telegram, Facebook and Twitter
© Copyright 2025 – Eurasia Business News. Article no. 1643.
Eurasia Business News 