A senior Pfizer executive told an industry audience on Tuesday that China has moved ahead of Europe as a hub for pharmaceutical innovation and clinical development.
Speaking at an event organized by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations, Pfizer Chief International Commercial Officer Alexandre de Germay described China as a growing source of new medicines and a center for clinical research that is reshaping the global pharmaceutical landscape.
De Germay cited specific measures of Chinese activity in drug development. He said, "Today, 40% of all clinical studies in oncology in the world are in China," and added that "the volume of innovation that is coming out of biotech in China is just amazing."
According to remarks he made at the event, Pfizer now believes that clinical development can be conducted three times faster in China and at roughly half the cost compared with Europe. He also pointed to launch data, saying that "in 2024, of 81 innovative medicines launched, 28 came from China and only 18 came from Europe."
Those comments were framed against broader industry conversations about how Europe can sustain its role in pharmaceutical research and development as well as manufacturing when facing intensifying competition from both China and the United States. De Germay emphasized the competitive challenge, stating, "We have to compete with the U.S., but we also have to compete with China," and warning that "we need to realize that the threat of China is reality."
The discussion occurred as regulators in the U.S. are also moving to accelerate development timelines. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday launched an initiative called Operation TrialBlazer and updated guidance for early-stage studies, a change the FDA said could save companies six to 12 months of development time. De Germay's comments and the U.S. regulatory action together underscore competing pressures on where and how quickly new medicines are advanced.
For European policymakers and drugmakers, the remarks underline a set of immediate policy and strategic questions about preserving research capacity, supporting domestic biotech innovation, and sustaining manufacturing capabilities. The executive's observations also highlight comparative differences in trial volume, development speed, and cost structures cited by multinational industry leaders.
Context and implications
The statements made by the Pfizer executive bring into focus the competition among major global markets for clinical trials and novel therapeutics. They reiterate the view that China has become a substantial contributor to clinical studies and innovative drug launches, and note recent U.S. regulatory steps intended to shorten development timelines.