The Pudong New Area has set ambitious targets to expand its biopharmaceutical industry scale to over 500 billion yuan (US$69.64 billion) by 2027, including cultivating more than 10 blockbuster drugs with annual sales exceeding 1 billion yuan each and one to two "mega-blockbusters" surpassing 5 billion yuan.
The district also plans to develop world-class biopharma industrial parks in Zhangjiang Science City and Waigaoqiao area, benchmarking against global leaders.
At a recent press briefing, Pudong officials introduced the newly released "Pudong New Area Biopharmaceutical Industrial Park Functional Enhancement Plan (2025-2027)." The plan outlines strategies to establish Pudong as a global launchpad for innovative drugs and medical devices, a pioneer in institutional reforms, and a top destination for scientist entrepreneurship.
Key initiatives include implementing cultivation programs for major products and leading enterprises, enhancing integrated services and policy support, and attracting domestic industry leaders. The goal is to transform regional R&D centers into global headquarters, cost centers into output centers, and single-function facilities into multifunctional complexes.
To address clinical development needs—a top concern for companies—the plan proposes organizing multinational pharmaceutical firms to conduct training programs. This aims to boost the capabilities of local hospitals and small and medium-size enterprises in conducting international multicenter clinical trials. Platforms like the Shanghai Clinical Innovation and Translation Research Institute will accelerate the commercialization of innovations.
The plan also focuses on clustering high-impact innovation entities along a 2-square-kilometer stretch of Gaoke Road M., including universities, research institutions, multinational R&D centers, corporate open innovation centers, high-quality incubators, and proof-of-concept centers. These will synergize with Zhangjiang's major science facilities, over 20 specialized technology platforms, and eight corporate open innovation centers, generating a "nuclear explosion" effect to spur the creation of more than 100 biotech startups annually in Pudong.
The International Medical Zone and Zhangjiang Innovative Drug Base will serve as core areas for emerging sectors and future industries, while Waigaoqiao and Zhangjiang Medical Device Park will specialize in cross-border R&D manufacturing and high-end medical equipment, respectively.
Pudong's biopharma industry has grown from 240.8 billion yuan in 2020 to 410 billion yuan in 2024, achieving a 14 percent compound annual growth rate. With 718 innovative drug pipelines in development, accounting for about 20 percent of China's total and 6 percent globally, Pudong has solidified its position as a biopharma powerhouse. The district has also secured 13 percent of China's approved domestic innovative drugs and 11 percent of Class III innovative medical devices.
