In 2025, Chinese drug makers signed 157 out-licensing deals with global pharmaceutical firms, totaling US$135.7 billion, up from 94 deals worth US$51.9 billion in 2024. Data released last week by China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) shows the number and value of these deals hit record highs, driven by dozens of multibillion-dollar agreements involving Hong Kong and mainland China-listed firms and international giants.
Chinese drug makers' out-licensing deals more than doubled in 2025 from the previous year, reaching a record high. According to data from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), 157 such deals were signed last year, worth US$135.7 billion, compared with 94 transactions valued at US$51.9 billion in 2024. This surge was propelled by dozens of multibillion-dollar agreements between Hong Kong and mainland China-listed firms and global pharmaceutical giants.
Out-licensing agreements typically involve a company granting another firm exclusive rights to further develop, manufacture, and commercialise a drug once it has entered human clinical trials, in exchange for upfront payments, milestone fees, and royalties on future sales. As China's drug regulator, the NMPA released this data last week, which was reported by state media.
This trend underscores the growing global influence of Chinese biotech firms, even amid geopolitical challenges like the Biosecure Act. Companies mentioned in related keywords, such as AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, and Roche internationally, alongside Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals and GeneQuantum in China, highlight the breadth of partnerships. However, specific deal details were not further disclosed in the data.
Overall, the boom in these deals signals increasing international recognition for Chinese drug makers in innovative drug development, paving the way for future collaborations.
