The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region's biopharmaceutical sector is poised for a boom in 2025, driven by key trends including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), cell and gene therapies (CGTs), the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), and its growing dominance in clinical trials. Despite economic and geopolitical challenges, the sector demonstrates resilience and strong prospects for recovery and growth.
Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) Take Center Stage
ADCs, hailed as 'magic bullets' for targeted cancer therapies, are experiencing significant momentum in the APAC region. Major biopharma firms are actively pursuing acquisitions, investments, and partnerships in this space. In 2024, Roche signed a billion-dollar licensing agreement with MediLink Therapeutics for its c-Met targeting ADC, YL211, aimed at combating solid tumors. AstraZeneca also commenced the expansion of its ADC manufacturing facility in Singapore, the largest in the Asia-Pacific region.
Chinese companies are at the forefront of the ADC trend, comprising half of the top ten developers. Bristol Myers Squibb collaborated with SystImmune to co-develop BL-B01D1, an EGFRxHER3 bispecific ADC. GSK acquired Hansoh Pharma's gynecologic cancer candidate (HS-20089), while Eisai partnered with Bliss Biopharmaceutical for an HER2-targeting ADC. AstraZeneca acquired LaNova Medicines, gaining access to the LM-305 ADC for relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma.
DualityBio, a Shanghai-based company, is gaining recognition for its ADC technology platform. BioNTech acquired two ADC assets from DualityBio for an upfront payment of $170 million and expanded the collaboration to include a third ADC candidate, DB-1305. DualityBio also granted BeiGene an exclusive option for a global clinical and commercial license for an investigational preclinical ADC therapy targeting specific solid tumors and secured global out-licensed rights from MediLink Therapeutics for their HER3-targeting ADC.
Cell and Gene Therapies (CGTs) Maintain Momentum
Cell and gene therapy remains a sought-after sector in the pharmaceutical industry, with significant investments and approvals. The APAC region is leading in CGTs, with countries investing in research and development. China has emerged as a key market, particularly for CAR-T therapies, surpassing the USA in the number of clinical trials conducted. Over 200 CAR-T trials are ongoing in China, targeting various indications, from hematology-oncology to solid tumors.
Yescarta (Fosun Kite) and relma-cel (JW Therapeutics) are China’s first regulatory-approved CAR-T cell therapies. Cilta-cel (Legend Biotech) has gained US FDA approval. ImmunoACT's NexCAR19 therapy received approval in India for treating relapsed or refractory B-cell lymphomas and leukemia.
Oncology is expected to remain the dominant area, driving advancements and accounting for 44% of the CGT market by 2029. Other therapeutic areas, including neurodegenerative, autoimmune, and cardiovascular diseases, are poised to benefit from CGT growth.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Integration
AI is impacting the pharmaceutical sector, with companies in APAC using AI for hypothesis generation, target identification, molecule design, clinical pharmacology, trial enrollment, and personalized medicine. Insilico Medicine received US FDA approval for its IND application for ISM3412, a MAT2A inhibitor for MTAP-deleted cancers, designed using its generative AI platform.
Dr. Alex Zhavoronkov, Founder and CEO of Insilico Medicine, anticipates multimodal generative reinforcement learning will improve productivity in drug discovery and development. Dr. Jeff Sidell, Chief Technology Officer at Advarra, notes AI's potential to transform clinical operations by automating tasks and leveraging predictive analytics. Dr. Michelle Longmire, CEO & Co-Founder of Medable, emphasizes AI's role in redefining the clinical trial process, enabling hyper-adaptive trial designs.
APAC's Dominance in Clinical Trials
The APAC region continues to lead in clinical trials, with growth rates surpassing the US and Europe. Almost half of the world's trials are now conducted in the region. China is a major driver of this growth, attracting trials for innovative therapies. From 2019 to 2023, the percentage of global Phase I-IV trials starting in China jumped from 25% to 39%.
Dr. Annie Siu, Director of APAC Content at Citeline, highlights APAC's normalization as a leader in advanced clinical trials. Saakshi Gupta, Senior Analyst, Oncology at Citeline, notes APAC's lead in oncology trials due to its large treatment-naïve patient pool.
China’s Biopharma Boom
China's biopharmaceutical sector has rapidly advanced, ranking among the top three for initial drug launches. Reforms, increased investment, and progressive policies have reduced approval timelines and improved patient access to therapies. Pfizer plans to invest $1 billion in China by 2030. Eli Lilly China committed approximately RMB 1.5 billion to upgrade its Suzhou plant. Bayer opened a life sciences incubator in Shanghai, and Roche Diagnostics announced a $420 million investment to expand its manufacturing site in Suzhou.
CDMO Digital Revolution
As the pharma industry shifts to personalized medicines, AI and machine learning are being embraced to create agile manufacturing solutions. Kristel Biehler, vice president of Life Sciences at Emerson, expects a re-examination of business models to build a culture of standardization, leveraging AI and digital systems. Kevin Kyle, Chief Executive Officer of Germfree, highlights the shift towards decentralized manufacturing models to address drug shortages and improve patient access.
BIOSECURE Act Boosting Indian CDMOs
The BIOSECURE Act, restricting US Federal agencies from contracting with Chinese biotechnology companies, could benefit Indian CDMOs. Michael Ward, Global Head of Thought Leadership, Life Sciences & Healthcare at Clarivate, notes that biopharma companies are exploring mitigation plans and seeking backup supplies. Prashant Khadayate, Director – Lifesciences Consulting & Research at GlobalData, expects the BIOSECURE Act to benefit Indian CDMO companies. Michael Ward agrees, estimating a multi-billion-dollar opportunity for India's biotech industry over the next five years.
