From Scientific Excellence to Industrial Implementation
China’s Biopharmaceutical and Medtech Sector in 2026
China enters the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) after remarkable progress in public health during the previous planning period. Life expectancy reached 79.3 years in 2025, and nearly 95 % of the population is now covered by statutory health insurance; private insurance plans covering more costly therapies are on the rise.
At the same time, demographic aging has become one of the country’s greatest long-term challenges. More than 224 million people are aged 65 years or older, a number expected to approach 350 million by 2050.
content:
- Public Health: a Strong Foundation for Innovation
- Pharmaceutical Industry: from Manufacturing Base to Innovation Partner
- Medtech and Diagnostics: Rapid Technological Upgrading
- National High-Tech Parks: Engines of Biomedical Innovation
- Scientific Excellence, Clinical Translation, and Commercialization
- Trends, Opportunities and Risks
- Outlook
- Rolf Schmid
- Xin Xiong
Public Health: a Strong Foundation for Innovation
China’s epidemiological profile is changing accordingly. Chronic diseases—including cardiovascular disorders, cancer, diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases—now account for most morbidity and mortality, driving demand for innovative pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics and digital healthcare. Supported by more than 38,000 hospitals, over one million community health centers and nearly five million physicians, the healthcare system provides an increasingly strong platform for nationwide innovation. By 2030, the government aims to expand healthcare quality nationwide while increasing life expectancy to around 80 years. These demographic and structural developments provide an economic rationale for China’s sustained investment in biomedical research and innovation.
Pharmaceutical Industry: from Manufacturing Base to Innovation Partner
With a market volume of approximately RMB 1.9 trillion ($280 billion) in 2025, China has become the world’s second-largest pharmaceutical market. Although more than 5,000 manufacturers remain active, the industry’s center of gravity is shifting from generics and active pharmaceutical ingredients towards innovative medicines.
Continue with login
No account yet?
Register now for free and get full access to all exclusive articles from chemanager-online.com. With our newsletter we regularly send you top news from the chemistry industry as well as the latest e-issue.
RegisterCompany
Bio4BusinessJagdweg 3
70569 Stuttgart
Germany
most read
CHEManager International Media Kit 2026
Compelling solutions through strategic partnerships
Novo Nordisk to Cut 9,000 Jobs Globally in Major Restructuring
Novo Nordisk announced a global workforce reduction of approximately 9,000 positions to streamline operations and reinvest DKK 8 billion (€1 billion) in growth opportunities for diabetes and obesity treatments.
Ratcliffe: Chemical Industry in Europe at a Tipping Point
Ineos CEO Ineos calls on European politicians to save the chemical industry.
Dow to Shut Down Three Upstream European Assets
Building on the April 2025 announcement, Dow will take actions across its three operating segments to support European profitability, resulting in the closure of sites in Germany and the UK.
VCI Welcomes US-EU Customs Deal
The German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) welcomes the fact that Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and US President Donald Trump have averted the danger of a trade war for the time being.