The Numbers Behind China's Pharma Rise

(MENAFN- Swissinfo) For decades, China was known for producing cheap copycat drugs and ingredients for large pharmaceutical firms. But it now has its own cutting-edge drug industry, creating opportunities and competition for big pharma players like Swiss firms Roche and Novartis. Select your language

Generated with artificial intelligence. Listening: The numbers behind China's pharma rise This content was published on September 3, 2026 - 09:58 9 minutes

I report on the Swiss pharmaceutical industry and healthcare topics such as access to medicine, biomedical innovation, and the impact of diseases like cancer. I grew up just outside San Francisco and studied international affairs with a focus on development economics and healthcare policy. Prior to joining SWI swissinfo in 2018, I was a freelance journalist and a researcher on business and human rights.

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I write original and in-depth data-driven articles using my skills in data analysis and visualisation. I cover a wide array of topics, among which are Switzerland's place in global trade, climate change and demographics. Born and raised in France, I studied international relations in Lyon, then graduated from Lille journalism school in 2011. I have been living in Switzerland since 2012 and worked at RTS for eight years before joining SWI swissinfo in 2020.

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China's biopharmaceutical industry has long been characterised by its fast-follower nature and large-scale manufacturing base – that is, replicating proven therapies, producing generic medicines at scale, and supplying lower-margin inputs into global pharmaceutical supply chains.

Innovation was predominantly driven by US and European firms. But this has changed in the last decade. Drugs discovered by Chinese companies, such as cancer therapy ivonescimab are beatingExternal link Western-developed blockbusters in head-to-head trials. Others like blood cancer treatment zanubrutinib (Brukinsa) developed by BeOne Medicines are achieving annual sales in the single-digit billions.

More More Healthcare innovation China's pharma companies turn to Europe for growth

This content was published on Sep 3, 2026 China has become a pharma powerhouse, but local firms still face a steep climb toward financial stability and global growth.

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