China Surpasses US in Drug Trials and Supply Chain, Survey Shows

What happened

A June Cure Innovation Index survey found China ahead of the U.S. in clinical drug development and supply chain, two of six measured domains. Roughly a third of new drugs Big Pharma licensed in now come from Chinese labs, according to Dr. Nathan Goodyear. Merck signed a $2 billion licensing deal in March 2025 for HRS-5346, a cardiovascular drug developed in China. The U.S. launched Operation TrailBlazer in late June and Congress introduced the Biotech Investment National Security Act to screen outbound biotech investment.

Why it matters

The shift affects patient access and national security. Restricting partnerships too abruptly could hurt cancer patients by reducing pipeline candidates, longer timelines, and less price competition, said Dr. Goodyear. A survey of 117 leaders found 76% say the U.S. leads but China is closing fast, 85% say the U.S. lead lasts 10 years or less. The U.S. is responding with policy measures, while some companies like Amgen expand domestic production. The real question, Goodyear says, is resilience, not dependence.