Key facts
- China now leads the US in the number of clinical drug trials conducted.
- A survey of US biotech leaders found China leads in clinical development and supply chain sectors.
- The US remains ahead in scaling production, securing capital, commercialization, and talent.
- Scientific discovery is considered a tie between the US and China.
- 85% of respondents believe the US lead in biotech will last 10 years or less.
- Multinational pharmaceutical companies are increasingly incorporating Chinese-developed drug candidates.
China is rapidly advancing in biomedical science, now conducting more clinical drug trials than the United States. However, a recent survey of senior US industry and academic leaders indicates that the US still holds a lead in the quality and commercial reach of its biotech sector.
The poll, conducted by Cure Innovation Index, found that China is perceived as the frontrunner in two key areas: clinical development and supply chain operations. Conversely, the US maintains its advantage in the crucial domains of moving experimental products to large-scale production, securing capital, commercialization, and attracting top talent. Both countries were viewed as equally matched in the realm of scientific discovery.
Despite the US retaining leadership, confidence in its continued dominance is diminishing. Seema Kumar, CEO of Cure, noted that most respondents perceive China as an existential threat. Of the 117 individuals surveyed, a significant 85% believe the US lead will not last beyond the next decade.
These findings were presented at the annual meeting of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization in San Diego, California. The survey highlights a shifting landscape where multinational pharmaceutical companies are increasingly integrating candidates developed in China, drawn by lower costs, streamlined regulations, and perceived government subsidies that may offer an unfair competitive edge.
Supporting this trend, a study by Georgetown University revealed that the US share of early drug development programs decreased to approximately 37% in 2024 from 48% in 2015. During the same period, China's share of the global total surged to over 32% from just 8%.