China’s drug industry pivots to AI-powered candidates to drive next wave of deals

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China's drug industry, after reaching a record US$110 billion in innovative drug cross-border deals in the first half of 2026, is now focusing on artificial intelligence-powered drug candidates to fuel the next wave of transactions. China remains a global leader in new drug development.

After China’s cross-border deals for innovative drugs hit a record US$110 billion in the first half of 2026, the sector is now pivoting towards artificial intelligence-powered candidates to drive the next wave of transactions. China accounted for about 30 per cent of all new drugs currently under development worldwide, ranking second globally, according to Lan Gongtao, deputy director general of the Department of Drug Registration at the National Medical Products Administration. China’s...