China’s Clinical Trial Capacity Mirrors US, Draws Global Pharmaceutical Interest Amidst Geopolitical Tensions

China's Clinical Trial Capacity: A Global Perspective

According to a JPMorgan report, China's clinical trial capacity now matches that of the United States, sparking increased global attention from pharmaceutical companies and investors. Notably, Shanghai-based Helen Chen from L.E.K. Consulting noted a growing interest from multinational corporations in conducting cell and gene therapy trials in China due to faster patient data access than other markets.

Key Data on Clinical Trials

• China's clinical trial volumes have reached 80% of those in the US as of 2024, surpassing Europe by 10%.
• In 2024, 2,694 new clinical trials were recorded in China, marking a 13% increase from the previous year.
• Multinational firms accounted for 14.3% of these trials, reflecting a 7% annual growth rate since 2019.

Despite geopolitical challenges, Chen emphasizes China's importance as the second largest pharmaceutical market globally, assuring continued investment. The report highlights a promising pipeline of biotech innovations, firmly supporting biomedical manufacturing efforts dictated by Beijing's development strategies.

Investment Landscape and Future Projections

• Investment in China’s biomedical sector is anticipated to receive further targeted support.
• Chinese pharmaceutical companies saw early-stage asset sales to global partners rise to nearly US$70 billion as of September 2025.
• Total research spending by China’s top 50 biopharmaceutical companies was US$8.5 billion last year, underscoring the sector's growth.

This encouraging trend signals that China’s clinical trial capacity attracts more global attention while presenting vast opportunities for investors and industry stakeholders.