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China Overtakes US as Global Leader in Clinical Trial Volume, GlobalData Analysis Reveals

• China has surpassed the United States in the number of ongoing clinical trials, with over 70% of Chinese trials being conducted by domestic sponsors exclusively within the country.

• Clinical trial costs in China remain stable and lower per patient compared to the US, while global trial expenses continue to rise due to increasing complexity and recruitment challenges.

• The potential passage of the BIOSECURE Act could significantly impact US-China pharmaceutical relationships, with industry experts anticipating manufacturing shifts to neutral countries.

In a groundbreaking revelation at Arena International's Outsourcing in Clinical Trials West Coast 2025 conference in San Francisco, GlobalData's analysis shows that China has overtaken the United States as the world leader in clinical trial volume, marking a significant shift in the global pharmaceutical research landscape.

Chinese Clinical Trial Landscape

Revati Tatake, Global Head of Pharma Research, Analysis and Competitive Intelligence at GlobalData, presented data highlighting China's dominance in clinical research. The analysis revealed that over 70% of ongoing studies in China are single-country trials conducted by Chinese sponsor companies. Notably, China has maintained lower per-patient trial costs compared to other regions, while maintaining operational efficiency.

Cost Dynamics and Global Challenges

While China demonstrates cost stability in clinical research, other global markets face mounting expenses. These increasing costs are attributed to multiple factors, including:
  • Growing study complexity
  • Patient recruitment difficulties
  • Higher dropout rates
  • Operational challenges

BIOSECURE Act Implications

The pending BIOSECURE Act in the US Senate poses potential challenges for pharmaceutical manufacturing relationships between the US and China. According to a GlobalData survey, industry experts anticipate:
  • Relocation of manufacturing operations to US-allied neutral countries
  • Possible retaliatory measures from China
  • Impacts on global pharmaceutical supply chains

Emerging Industry Trends

The pharmaceutical landscape is experiencing several significant developments beyond the shift in trial leadership. The GLP-1RA market is projected to reach $125.3 billion by 2033, with obesity treatments accounting for 90% of this value. Major players Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk continue to dominate this space with their respective products, Mounjaro/Zepbound and Wegovy.

Manufacturing and Regulatory Challenges

The industry faces multiple concurrent challenges:
  • Ongoing manufacturing and supply chain disruptions
  • Potential drug shortages and price increases
  • Implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act starting January 2026
  • Concerns about impact on R&D investment and innovation

Technology and Innovation

Artificial intelligence emerges as a transformative force in pharmaceutical development:
  • 84% of industry professionals identify AI as the most influential technology
  • Approximately 2,900 drugs are currently being developed or repurposed using AI
  • 92% of AI-assisted drug development projects are in discovery or preclinical stages
The shifting landscape of clinical trials reflects broader changes in global pharmaceutical research and development, with China's emergence as a leader potentially reshaping industry dynamics for years to come.
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