China emerges as a source of innovation
The role of China in the broader biopharma landscape in the past five years is reshaping the global market. Obesity is no exception and China has emerged as a vital source of innovation in the space. In 2024, out-licensing deals from Chinese firms totaled $9 billion, and 2025 is on track to surpass that figure. Chinese companies are developing high-quality GLP-1 and amylin analogues, often at lower cost than Western counterparts.
The rapid rise of China’s bioscience sector is being fueled by generous government funding and a growing pool of scientific talent. Chinese scientists are no longer
focused solely on generics; they are now crafting well-engineered assets that are attracting the attention of global pharma companies. China also has a large population with type 2 diabetes and overweight which adds to the strategic importance of this market to dealmaking. Up to 250 million people in China are expected to be overweight by 20301.
There are around 120 obesity drug programs in active development in China, according to Pharmaprojects, and China is poised to play an increasingly important role in global R&D pipelines.
1. World Obesity Atlas and the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention
