China's Pharma Industry Is Booming — Here's Why | China Decode
Scott Galloway and guests break down how China has built a dominant position in global pharma and biotech, and what that means for supply chains, drug costs, and geopolitical leverage.
The gist
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China controls 50% of global API production and supplies half of US pharmaceutical imports, giving it real leverage in trade negotiations.
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Drug development in China costs 30-50% less and runs 30-60% faster than in the West, making Chinese biotech attractive to acquirers and investors.
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Chinese biotech out-licensing deals worth over $50 million jumped from 5% to 42% of global deals in just five years, signaling a quality shift.
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A patent cliff from 2025 to 2030 puts $400 billion in annual pharma revenue up for grabs, which Chinese generics and biotech firms are positioned to capture.
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