Chinese biotech firms poised to enter US and EU drug markets within 15 years

A surge in outlicensing agreements is fueling speculation over which Chinese biotechnology companies will be the first to market their own branded medications in Europe and the US within the next 10 to 15 years. Outlicensing involves granting another firm exclusive rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize an early-stage drug in exchange for upfront payments, milestone fees, and royalties. The US remains the most profitable drug market globally, with less than 5% of the world's population funding approximately three-quarters of global pharmaceutical profits, according to a May 2025 White House executive order.