The country transitions from fast follower to global innovation frontrunner. China is one of the primary drivers behind the regional shift in Asia’s share of the global innovative biopharma portfolio, reaching 43% of the total worldwide market by 2025, according to a McKinsey report. China also led the 85% surge in total global growth of innovative drug pipelines in 2024, whilst accounting for 30% of the global innovative pipeline. This transitions the country from a “fast follower” to a global “frontrunner” in innovation, according to the report. Chinese investigators are increasingly leading clinical trials, including first-in-China tests of new modality combinations, such as Akeso’s PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody, the report said.