China overtakes U.S. in biotech amid Trump-era policies

China is pulling ahead of the United States in the biopharmaceutical sector, according to a report by the independent National Commission on Biotechnology Development, appointed by the U.S. Congress and published last month.

The bipartisan commission of lawmakers, scientists, and national security experts warned of a strategic lag and called for urgent investments in biotechnology.

According to the World Health Organization, China registered over 7,100 clinical trials in 2024 compared with around 6,000 in the United States. Beijing and Shanghai lead the world in the number of laboratories and research facilities, while Boston ranks third. Patent filings in China have surged 379% over the past decade, and investment bank Stifel forecasts that 37% of licensed molecules for major pharmaceutical firms will come from China this year.

Experts say Trump administration policies, including cuts to university research funding and restrictions on visas for international students and researchers, have weakened U.S. competitiveness.

Analysts warn that curbing the influx of talent and reducing research investment could inflict long-term damage on the American biotech sector at a time when China is rapidly advancing.

N.Tebrizli