The Bunker – News without the nonsense Eastern Medicine – China’s plan to control the future of drugs
Dec 18, 2025
Eleanor Olcott, an FT China technology correspondent and expert in biotech and pharma, dives into China's rapid ascent in the biopharma industry. She discusses how China transformed from a low-cost manufacturer to a formidable player in drug development. Eleanor highlights the strong access to Chinese biotech firms, innovations in cancer therapies, and advantages in clinical trials. She also explains the geopolitical implications and supply chain concerns tied to Western reliance on China, all while emphasizing the challenges that remain in the regulatory landscape.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
China's Biopharma Scaling Leap
- China's biopharma shifted from low-cost manufacturing to serious global contender with rapid state-backed scaling.
- New facilities now produce next-generation medicines at a scale that surprised Western competitors.
Founder Returns From Boston
- Eleanor Olcott describes Bebo Pharma's founder Zhao Peng moving from Boston to Shanghai to tap local supply chains.
- He set up a branch in Shanghai after noticing peers returning to China to found firms.
The Engineering Dividend
- China gains an "engineering dividend" that speeds scaling and manufacturing across sectors including biologics.
- Readily available engineers help iterate delivery mechanisms and ramp production quickly.