China’s Pharmaceutical Revolution Goes Global: From $45B Deals to a New Era of Innovation

China’s Pharmaceutical Innovation Goes Global: Challenges and New Momentum

china’s pharmaceutical innovation goes global challenges and new momentum

In the first five months of 2025, China’s outbound innovative drug licensing deals have exceeded USD 45 billion, almost equaling the total for all of 2024.

Behind this impressive figure lies the growing global confidence in China’s original R&D capability. Never before has Chinese pharmaceutical innovation shone so brightly on the global stage.

Yet beneath the glow, challenges are emerging. As of April 2025, among 62 license-out deals completed in 2020, 25 partnerships have been terminated, representing a “return rate” of around 40%.

This not only impacts corporate revenues but also exposes systemic risks spanning from clinical trial design to business execution.

These setbacks highlight the complex and uncertain journey of Chinese pharma companies expanding overseas.

As global regulatory frameworks tighten and collaboration models shift from “single breakthrough” to “systemic capability,” Chinese drugmakers now stand at a historic crossroads.

According to Song Ruilin, Executive President of the China Pharmaceutical Innovation and Research Development Association, “China’s new drug R&D has reached a world-class level, but challenges remain—including homogenization in development and a mismatch between industrial capacity and market potential.”

He emphasized that strengthening basic research ecosystems, regulatory internationalization, and diversified payment models are essential to truly empower China’s original pharmaceutical enterprises to “go global.”

 

Rising Strength, Remaining Gaps

Official data show that China now holds 1,775 first-in-class (FIC) drug candidates—19% of the global total—narrowing the gap with the U.S. (4,511, 48%).

At the 2025 ASCO conference, Chinese studies reached 73 presentations, including 11 late-breaking abstracts, accounting for 20% of major breakthroughs—a clear sign that China’s research power is reshaping the global innovation landscape.

However, critical issues persist. The disconnect between clinical demand and R&D focus remains evident, and the homogenization of pipelines—especially in oncology—continues to be a bottleneck.

According to IQVIA, oncology trials represent 41% of all clinical trials in China. Of the 2,162 oncology trials initiated in 2024, nearly half were Phase II studies, and 74% targeted rare cancers.

Although hematologic malignancy trials make up a smaller portion, they have grown 30% in the past decade.

These numbers demonstrate strong momentum but also underline the need for more differentiated innovation and global regulatory competence.

 

Bridging Innovation and Global Access

Amid this wave of globalization, DengYueMed, headquartered in Hong Kong SAR, stands as a vital bridge between China’s pharmaceutical innovation and global healthcare needs.

As a licensed pharmaceutical importer and exporter, DengYueMed partners directly with GMP-certified Chinese manufacturers to ensure the authenticity, freshness, and compliance of every shipment.

Leveraging Hong Kong’s strategic geographic and trade advantages, DengYueMed offers one-stop export solutions—from drug procurement and import/export documentation to global logistics coordination and GDP-compliant cold-chain transport.

Its mission is clear: to make China’s advanced medicines accessible, affordable, and reliable for hospitals, distributors, and clinical researchers worldwide.

At DengYueMed, we believe we are a company with warmth, speed, and attitude—combining human care with professional precision. We deliver not only medicine but also trust, safety, and hope across borders.

 

Toward a More Global, Resilient Future

As China’s biopharmaceutical industry continues its rapid rise, global expansion is no longer an option—it is a necessity.

The diversity of regulatory frameworks across regions presents both barriers and opportunities. To succeed internationally, Chinese biopharma companies must focus on regulatory readiness, quality assurance, and cross-border collaboration.

As Cytiva China President Li Lei noted, China’s biopharma pipelines now account for nearly half of the world’s innovative drug projects, marking a remarkable transformation.

However, success abroad requires deep understanding of international standards and compliance frameworks, ensuring that innovation not only happens in the lab but also reaches patients worldwide.

And this—bridging scientific innovation with real-world accessibility—is exactly where DengYueMed continues to play its role on the global stage.