How UK biotech can engage with China: two types of efficiency

^{We must engage with the Chinese ecosystem – this is how}

Our members are strong in their view: we must engage with the Chinese ecosystem. This presents recognised challenges, but also an opportunity.

I recently spent the week in Shanghai and Suzhou, continuing BIA’s work to build a strong and forward-looking international relationship with China for the UK biotech sector.

UK and China Shanghai CPHI China

UK biotech on the global stage

We are a global industry, and we need to capture the speed, ambition, innovation and investment for the benefit of de-risking our own companies. At the same time, we need to establish where UK fits into the value chain in a new global biotech order. We must use this opportunity to urgently increase UK competitiveness.

China is looking to the next phase of globalisation and actively seeking partnership. The UK holds a unique global position as an epicentre for scientific innovation, global finance and world-renowned talent. We can also serve as launchpad for global reach through regulatory innovation, alignment and integrated health research systems. The opportunity for inward investment is ripe.

Two kinds of efficiency, one shared opportunity

The scale and ambition on show throughout the week were striking, not least at the CPHI China conference where I participated in the UK Forum alongside MHRA, DBT, AZ and Clinigen.

One of the most useful reflections came from ZHENG Guoxi of Asymchem, who described two different but complementary forms of efficiency. China’s version is defined by drive, speed and execution at scale.

The UK’s strength lies in world-leading science, high standards and the discipline of getting things right the first time. Bringing those strengths together – and learning from one another – could be immensely powerful for both ecosystems.

Seeing the ecosystem up close

The visit continued beyond the forum, with time spent at Suzhou Industrial Park, BioBAY and Zhangjiang Pharma Valley.

Across Shanghai and Suzhou, discussions with companies, local government representatives and investors brought home the pace at which the Yangtze River Delta region is developing as a centre for biotech growth and international collaboration.

For UK companies, the question is not whether China matters, but how to engage in a way that maximises the efficiencies created but is informed, practical and creating real value.

The opportunity is significant, but so is the need to understand the ecosystem properly: its scale, its speed, its expectations and the areas where partnership can genuinely strengthen both sides.

What this means for UK biotech

BIA’s objective is to help members navigate the rapid advancement of China’s biotech ecosystem, build relationships that benefit the UK sector and ensure the UK captures value from a shifting global biotech order. That means engaging with confidence, recognising the challenges, and being clear about where UK science, regulation, finance and talent can make the greatest contribution.

Thank you to DBT for an inspiring week in Shanghai and Suzhou alongside colleagues from MHRA, and to the DBT China team for their meticulous organisation. The visit provided a valuable opportunity to connect, listen and explore how the UK and China can work together more effectively in the next phase of global biotech.  What stood out just as strongly, however, was the warmth of the welcome and the widespread recognition of BIA as a valued partner for UK-China collaboration going forward.