Simulation Conference: China's Evolving Competitive Landscape in Biotech Challenges U.S. Biotechs and Investors

“A fast-improving pipeline of drugs invented in China is attracting pharma dealmakers, putting pressure on U.S. biotechs and the VC firms that back them.” (Ben Fidler, Senior Editor, Biopharma Dive)

Conference: China’s Evolving Competitive Landscape in Biotech Challenges U.S. Biotechs and Investors (The simulation is based on actual documentation that can be referenced in sources)

Event: Global Bio-Investor Summit 2025

Panel: “Navigating the New Competitive Landscape: Biotech in a Bipolar World”

Moderator: Alisha Quinn, Senior Biopharma Analyst, MedInvest Global

Panelists:

Dr. M. Jimenez, Chief Scientific Officer, HelixNova Biotechnologies, Silicon Valley
Prof. I. Zeavran, Venture Capital Partner at NovaGenesis Capital and Professor at SSV

Dr. M. Jimenez and Zeavran

(Husband and Wife)

Audience: Global biotech investors, startup founders, and R&D executives

Featured Investors: Kristina Burow, Arch Venture Partners, Alexis Borisy, Curie. Bio, Jon Norris, HSBC Innovation Banking.

Transcript Highlights: Moderator (Alisha Quinn)

“Dr. Jimenez, let’s begin with a concern echoed across our investor forums: has China not only caught up but overtaken the U.S. in biotech innovation?”

Dr. M. Jimenez (Biotech Executive Perspective):

China’s rise in biotech is not just hype—it’s structural. What we’re seeing in Suzhou and Shanghai mirrors the Boston-Cambridge boom of 2005–2015. However, it is supercharged by state subsidies, faster regulatory pathways, an abundant talent pool, and they are willing to learn fast with a vast and demanding learning system at all levels.

In his comprehensive “Apple in China,” Patrick McGee states that the American company’s decision under Tim Cook, the current C.E.O., to manufacture about 90 percent of its products in China has created an existential vulnerability. This is not just for Apple, but also for the United States. This creates the conditions for Chinese technology to outpace American innovation.

Furthermore, “China is moving fast to dominate biotechnology, and the U.S. risks falling behind permanently unless it takes action over the next three years.” They made biotechnology a strategic priority for 20 years. Initially, it was how to do shoes and sneakers faster, cheaper, and better. Then, it was about how to build iPhones faster and better. Now it’s how to build biotech and AI faster and better,” said Paul Zhang, a partner at Bluestar BioAdvisors. (WSJ)

Chinese firms now routinely produce ‘me-better’ compounds—antibody-drug conjugates and multifunctional biologics with clinical potential that surpasses generic replication. Specifically, this refers to a new drug structurally or functionally similar to an existing one (a “me-too” drug) but offers notable improvements in performance, safety, dosing, delivery, or cost-effectiveness. Their internal timelines—from molecule conception to human trials—are half as long as ours. We’re talking 12–18 months compared to our 3–4 years. That’s not competition. That’s a paradigm shift.

Prof. I. Zeavran (Investor & Academic Perspective):

“As an investor, I’ve adjusted our strategy at NovaGenesis. We’ve pivoted toward global asset scouting. Kailera, Verdiva Bio, and Candid Therapeutics—all VC-backed startups—leverage molecules sourced from Chinese labs. That was unheard of even five years ago.

However, the critical point is that American startups must now concentrate solely on “uncloneable science”—platforms highly protected by intellectual property, such as AI-generated molecules, epigenetic reprogramming, or innovative cell therapy delivery mechanisms. Anything less, and you're competing against 30 cheaper versions in China by year two.”

Audience Question: “Should investors shift more capital toward China-originated IP despite U.S. legislative risks like the Biosecure Act and tariffs?”

Dr. Jimenez:

“Short-term risk, yes. Long-term, it’s manageable. Tariffs and clinical trial restrictions will hurt, but innovation will find paths. What's essential is due diligence—ensuring tech transfer doesn't violate evolving U.S. regulations. But ignoring China's pipelines entirely would be like ignoring Japan in semiconductors in the ‘80s.”

Prof. Zeavran:

“I’d argue U.S. biotech VC must learn to play multi-theater strategy:

Home base for radical innovation (AI, platform biotech)

Asia for rapid iteration and cost-effective development

Europe for IP arbitration and diversified trial bases

Think globally, develop locally. That’s the future.”

Moderator:

“Dr. Jimenez, what do you say to younger startups worried about being outpaced?”

Dr. Jimenez:

“Be invisible until you’re unstoppable. Don’t publish early. Use Intellectual Property (IP) that’s layered and strategic. Focus on problems China’s system won’t solve—neurogenetics, pediatric rare diseases, and multi-modal delivery tech. Their system scales fast but doesn’t yet nurture wild, foundational science. That’s still our game to win.”

Moderator:

“Closing thoughts—what will separate winners from casualties in this biotech arms race?”

Final Words

Prof. Zeavran:

“The winners will be those who stop thinking like fortress builders and start thinking like information traders. Network strength, global sourcing, and stealth R&D will define the next decade.”

Dr. Jimenez:

“And remember, China raised the bar—but they didn’t redefine the game. Innovation is still king. “If you cannot be the first, strive to be uncatchable.”

Sources:

Aronson JK, Green AR. Me-too pharmaceutical products: History, definitions, examples, and relevance to drug shortages and essential medicines lists. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2020 Nov;86(11):2114-2122. doi: 10.1111/bcp.14327. Epub 2020 May 13. PMID: 32358800; PMCID: PMC7576625.

‘The bar has risen’: China’s biotech gains push US companies to adapt. Deep Dive // Emerging biotech. Published Jan. 16, 2025 by Ben Fidler

The White House, Executive Order, May 5, 2025: Improving the Safety and Security of Biological Research.

The BIOSECURE Act – A Review of the Bill, Responses, and Possible Repercussions, Authors: David M. McIntosh, Arthur C. Mok, Geoffrey Lin, Ropes & Gray.

Michael Hansen and Ariel Chung, Senior Fellow - Brown Center on Education Policy, December 16, 2024: “Reflections on US education from China.” (Compared to education spending in China and the U.S., China's significant investment in its education system drives technological and economic advancement.)