Chinese drugmakers with big ambitions struggle to recruit staff for global expansion

• Chinese sponsors conducted 88% of their trials exclusively in China in 2025 but only 5% in the U.S., highlighting the scale of the global expansion challenge
• China-headquartered clinical trial sponsors grew from 2% of global trials in 2009 to 32% in 2025, while licensing deals in greater China surged from $318 million in 2016 to significantly higher levels in 2025
• Asia-Pacific biotech professionals were nearly three times more likely than global peers to report talent shortages affecting operations, with particular scarcity in regulatory affairs, international trial management, and cross-cultural expertise

Market Summary: Chinese Drugmakers Face Talent Shortage in Global Expansion

Key Facts

Leading Chinese pharmaceutical companies, including Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals and CanSino Biologics, are struggling to recruit internationally experienced staff needed for overseas expansion. This talent shortage threatens to slow China's pharmaceutical industry push into global markets.

Market Data & Figures

• China's trial concentration: 88% of China-sponsored clinical trials conducted exclusively in China (2025)
• U.S. presence: Chinese companies ran only 5% of trials in the U.S. (2025)
• Market growth: Chinese drugmakers now conduct 32% of global clinical trials (2025), up from 2% in 2009
• Deal activity: Licensing deals in Greater China region reached approximately $7.7 billion in 2025, up from $318 million in 2016

Companies Mentioned

• Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals (oncology/metabolic disease specialist)
• CanSino Biologics (vaccine maker)
• Shanghai Henlius Biotech (oncology/autoimmune disease specialist)
• IQVIA, ICON (research firms)

Critical Challenges

Chinese pharmaceutical executives cite acute shortages in:

• Global clinical development expertise
• International regulatory submission experience
• Cross-cultural management skills
• Multi-regional trial capabilities

Asia-Pacific biotech professionals are nearly three times more likely than global peers to report talent shortages affecting operations, according to ICON research.

Market Implications

The shortage stems from regulatory pressure for more diverse, multi-regional trials—particularly from the U.S. FDA—which requires clinical data beyond Chinese populations. While the talent gap is causing friction and slower execution rather than outright failures, it could limit China's pharmaceutical competitiveness globally. Companies are responding through internal training programs, international team establishment, and reliance on overseas partners, though recruitment costs are rising significantly.