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Last year, the innovative drug industry in China reached record-breaking milestones, including a surge in product approvals and licensing deals. A total of 76 new innovative drugs received marketing approval, representing a 58% increase from the previous year, according to the National Medical Products Administration. Among these, 47 were chemical drugs, 23 were biological products, and six were traditional Chinese medicines.
A significant majority of these drugs—81% of the chemical drugs and 91% of the biologics—were developed independently by Chinese pharmaceutical companies, with the remaining products licensed from international firms. Of the 76 newly approved drugs, 11 were classified as first-in-class medicines, with four designed solely by Chinese companies.
In 2025, Chinese pharmaceutical firms entered over 150 licensing agreements related to innovative drugs, totaling more than USD 130 billion in value, both setting new records. These figures compare to 94 deals worth USD 51.9 billion in 2024. This rapid growth highlights international acknowledgment of China’s advancements in innovative drug development.
The rise in licensing agreements and approvals reflects the success of government initiatives aimed at fostering innovation within the sector. Authorities plan to streamline the approval process for urgently needed clinical drugs through multiple pathways, including breakthrough therapy designation, conditional approval, priority review, and special approval. Additionally, reforms will strengthen protections for drug trial data and extend market exclusivity to better safeguard innovation.
China’s progress in innovative pharmaceuticals is supported by a notable increase in research and development breakthroughs. Recent statistics reveal that approximately 30% of the world’s new drug pipelines are under development in China, ranking second globally.
The country is fostering an open environment to attract foreign investment and R&D in pharmaceutical innovation. The new catalog of encouraged industries for foreign investment, set to take effect on February 1, from the Ministry of Commerce, offers new incentives for foreign investments in developing and producing novel chemical drugs targeting specific mechanisms, antibody-drug conjugates, radiopharmaceuticals, and zero-magnetic medical equipment.
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