China AI drug-design deals swell as US scrutiny mounts

AI Summary

Chinese AI-driven drug-design companies have significantly increased cross-border dealmaking, reaching a value of US$75 billion in out-licensing deals in the first five months of 2026. This growth occurs amid increasing US scrutiny of Chinese biotech firms.

Riding a wave of booming cross-border dealmaking, China’s AI-driven drug-design firms are charging onto the global stage despite Washington’s growing scrutiny of Chinese biotech firms. The value of out-licensing deals struck by Chinese biotech companies with top global multinational pharmaceutical companies climbed to US$75 billion in the first five months of 2026, up from zero before 2020, according to Linda Shu, head of China healthcare research at HSBC. In total, over the five months, these...