China’s Growing Pharma Prowess: A Look at Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals
China’s pharmaceutical industry has been making significant strides in recent years, positioning itself as a global leader in research and development. Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals, a China-based company, surpassed the U.K.’s AstraZeneca as the top clinical trial sponsor in the world last year, according to Citeline’s 2025 annual Clinical Trials Roundup.
The country’s research boom can be attributed to regulatory reforms and economic advantages that make running trials outside the U.S. more cost-effective and efficient. These factors have propelled China into becoming a prominent R&D hub on the global stage.
Heidi Chen, associate director of research and commercial services at Citeline, notes that China’s regulatory advancements have played a pivotal role in elevating the country’s biopharmaceutical sector. Chinese firms, once suppliers of active pharmaceutical ingredients to Western companies, have now emerged as competitors to Big Pharma players.
Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals boasts a portfolio of over 400 ongoing clinical trials, including more than 20 international studies. The company experienced a 19% increase in its R&D portfolio in 2024, signaling its rapid growth and success in the industry.
In recent months, Jiangsu Hengrui has secured significant collaborations with renowned pharmaceutical companies. A licensing agreement with Merck & Co. for a novel heart drug and a partnership with GSK worth up to $12 billion demonstrate the company’s commitment to innovation and expansion in the healthcare sector.
Citeline’s analysis of the clinical trial landscape also reveals notable shifts in therapeutic areas. Oncology remains a dominant field, with six of the top 10 sponsors focusing on oncology trials. New modalities such as T cell therapies, antibody-drug conjugates, and radiopharmaceuticals are driving breakthroughs in oncology research.
The central nervous system (CNS) is another key area of focus, with a 14.7% increase in new trials in 2024. Research in pain, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease has surged, fueled by high unmet needs and recent drug approvals in the Alzheimer’s space.
Autoimmune disease treatments, particularly cell and gene therapies, have seen a 14.6% increase in trials. CAR-T cell therapies have shown promising results in autoimmune conditions like lupus, paving the way for further advancements in this area.
Cardiovascular disease trials experienced the highest growth rate among therapeutic areas at 15.6%, driven by an aging population and advancements in cell and gene therapies. Rare disease research is also on the rise, with regulatory changes facilitating smoother clinical pathways for drug development.
Overall, digital advancements and artificial intelligence are accelerating drug development processes, facilitating collaborations and data sharing platforms in the pharmaceutical industry. China’s emergence as a key player in the global pharma landscape underscores the country’s growing influence and innovation in healthcare research and development. The Benefits of Regular Exercise for Overall Health
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