Three trends define China’s next chapter in clinical trials — more differentiated innovation, deeper globalization, and pragmatic AI adoption — based on a survey of 89 pharma and CRO leaders
SHANGHAI & BOSTON — November 14th, 2025 — L.E.K. Consulting, in collaboration with PharmaDJ, today released Advancing Innovation and Global Reach: The Next Chapter in China’s Clinical Trial Development, a new report that outlines how China’s clinical development ecosystem is entering a pivotal phase marked by greater innovation, increasing global integration and the adoption of smarter tools such as AI.
Drawing on fresh analysis and industry input, the report highlights how favorable policy reforms and sustained R&D investment have transformed China’s clinical development landscape over the past decade — laying the groundwork for the next wave of growth for both multinational and Chinese companies.
According to the report, China’s clinical trial volume has surged to nearly U.S. scale and now tops Europe — about 80% of U.S. levels and approximately10% above the EU in 2024. This increase underscores the country’s emergence as a major global player. Looking ahead, three strategic trends are set to shape the market: (1) development of more innovative and differentiated therapies, (2) continued globalization of Chinese biopharma innovation, and (3) increased adoption of AI and smarter clinical trial tools.
“China’s clinical development is not just getting bigger — it’s becoming more innovative, more global and more digital,” said Helen Chen, Partner and Head of Asia Healthcare at L.E.K. Consulting. “Leaders that pair differentiated science with cross-border strategies and pragmatic AI adoption will be best positioned to move faster, de-risk late-stage programs and deliver better outcomes for patients.”
“Many mega transaction deals between Big Pharma and China’s biotech companies are built on China-only data,” said Jialing Dai, PharmaDJ’s President and Publisher. “In the future, we view China as a more important market for clinical development, not only for local players but also for all pharma/biotech companies around the world. By leveraging fixability in early phase and the large population in later phase in China, we can deliver innovative therapies in a faster pace to patients. ”
Report Highlights
Innovation: Rising investment in first-/best-in-class assets and next-generation modalities is accelerating the shift from early to late stages and creating more room for clinical differentiation.
Globalization: China-to-global trials and licensing are expanding, creating opportunities for multinational companies to access differentiated assets and for CROs (contract research organizations) with global-standard capabilities to support multiregional execution.
AI enablement: Near-term adoption is concentrating in data analysis and management, with broader operational gains expected as pharmas and CROs integrate AI into core clinical workflows.
About the Research
The report incorporates an industry survey of 89 respondents — primarily from pharmaceutical companies and CROs — completed in August and September 2025 and was co-sponsored with PharmaDJ.
About L.E.K. Consulting
We're L.E.K. Consulting, a global strategy consultancy working with business leaders to seize competitive advantage and amplify growth. Our insights are catalysts that reshape the trajectory of our clients' business, uncovering opportunities and empowering them to master their moments of truth. Since 1983, our worldwide practice — spanning the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Asia-Pacific — has guided leaders across all industries, from global corporations to emerging entrepreneurial businesses and private equity investors. Looking for more? Visit www.lek.com.
About PharmaDJ
Cofounded by experienced journalists and editors in 2014, PharmaDJ is the leading business intelligence and media portal for Pharmaceutical and Biotech industry in China. Since then, it has built a wide platform to serve the industry need. Now, it provides different services including business intelligence, business strategy consulting and conference/training program to its readers and clients.
With the editorial team located in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing, Suzhou, New Jersey and Hawii, our focus covers the entire drug life cycle, from early drug research, translational science, clinical development, commercial, market access and PR communication strategies.