Nature Op-ed: China’s Evolving Position in Global Pharmaceuticals

Nature; February 12, 2026

On February 12, 2026, in an op-ed published in Nature, authors Lizzi C. Lee and Jing Qian examined China’s evolving position in the global pharmaceutical landscape. While trailing the US and Europe in fundamental research and multi-country clinical trials, China has emerged as a leader in drug development, manufacturing, and frontier science, prompting increased geopolitical scrutiny.