Over $120 billion in deals.. Chinese pharma wins global confidence
ALDAR /
China’s innovative pharmaceutical sector is witnessing unprecedented growth and international interest this year, reflecting growing global confidence in Chinese pharmaceutical innovations.
In figures, this confidence is reflected in the total value of outbound licensing deals, which has surpassed $120 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 36%. Upfront payments from these deals have also exceeded $10 billion, while the average value of individual deals continues to rise.
This momentum is attributed to regulatory reforms adopted by the National Medical Products Administration to accelerate the quality and competitiveness of the pharmaceutical industry.
Looking at the sector’s performance, China recorded a record number in 2025, with more than 2,900 clinical trials for new drugs conducted, an increase of 18%. Clinical trials for cell and gene therapies also grew by nearly 30%, highlighting strong activity in advanced development fields.
The impact of these reforms has also extended to speeding up the market launch of products. In 2026, 59 innovative drugs and 51 advanced medical devices were approved for market entry, including 13 Class I drugs based on entirely new therapeutic mechanisms and targets.
Against this backdrop, the accelerating pace of innovation has prompted major global pharmaceutical companies to increase their investments in China by establishing and expanding research centers and manufacturing facilities.
