China’s growing pipeline of novel drug candidates is expected to draw increased attention from global pharmaceutical companies and investors scouting for licensing opportunities, as the country’s clinical trial capacity has expanded to match those in the US.
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That assessment was made by Shanghai-based Helen Chen, Greater China managing partner at L.E.K. Consulting, one of the most respected analysts in the mainland’s life sciences industry.
“There is increased interest from multinational corporations in conducting investigator-initiated trials for cell and gene therapies in China, given that they can have access to patient data more rapidly than in other markets,” Chen said.
Such trials refer to clinical studies led by academic researchers or physicians – instead of pharmaceutical companies – often to explore new uses for treatments.
As of 2024, China’s clinical trial volumes matched 80 per cent of those in the US and exceeded the levels in Europe by 10 per cent, according to a report jointly published last week by L.E.K. Consulting and PharmaDJ.
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The report, which polled 89 pharmaceutical and contract research organisation leaders between August and September, showed China had 2,694 new clinical trials in 2024, up 13 per cent from a year earlier.