Biogen's blueprint for collaboration in China's thriving pharma landscape

China has rapidly transformed into a powerhouse of pharmaceutical innovation. It has moved beyond its historical role as a fast follower to becoming a key player on the global stage. Ahead of China Bio Partnering Forum in Shanghai, China, Fraser Hall, Biogen’s president and head of intercontinental region, highlighted the scale and pace of the region’s transformation.

“In the past decade, China has moved decisively beyond the role of a fast follower into a key player in global pharmaceutical innovation. What stands out most in this transformation is the sheer scale, accelerated pace, and advanced quality of innovation emerging from China,” he told BioXconomy.

The numbers tell a compelling story. Hall explained how Chinese companies now sponsor approximately 30% of global clinical trials, a dramatic leap from just 5% in 2014. The region is also closing in on the US level of 35%. Outbound partnering has also surged. Furthermore, the industry has witnessed a substantial increase in outbound partnering. Out-licensing deal values reached roughly $46 billion in 2024, up from $28 billion just two years earlier.

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Hall emphasized that this shift reflects not only expanded capabilities but also a growing influence in shaping the global research landscape. “For industry leaders, we believe treating China as optional is increasingly a strategic disadvantage,” he said.

Biogen’s role in China’s innovation ecosystem

Biogen has been deeply invested in China’s innovation ecosystem for nearly a decade, with a focus on rare diseases and specialty care. Hall underscored the company’s commitment to the region and stated, “Our commitment begins with sustained investment in our own talented team in China, reflecting our belief in its long-term potential and the value of deep local expertise.” This local presence enables Biogen to make a meaningful impact on the communities it serves while positioning the company as a trusted partner for Chinese innovators.

Biogen’s approach to collaboration is rooted in building lasting relationships rather than pursuing short-term and purely transactional deals. “We focus on lasting relationships that aim to translate cutting-edge science and deliver transformative medicines to patients worldwide,” Hall explained. This philosophy aligns with Biogen’s broader mission to foster innovation and bring life-changing therapies to patients across the globe.

He told us Biogen’s combination of biotech agility and pharmaceutical scale makes it an attractive partner for Chinese innovators seeking global impact. Hall highlighted the company’s commercial expertise, regulatory know-how, and manufacturing capabilities as the company’s strengths. “Our proven track record, especially in rare diseases, makes us a trusted ally for innovators seeking both local and global impact,” he said.

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The firm’s global footprint spans 45 affiliates and distribution partners in over an additional 60 countries. This allows Biogen to maximize the potential of both early-stage and late-stage assets through tailored collaborations. “By leveraging our core capabilities, local expertise, and global footprint, we can drive scientific progress of assets in development and maximize the impact of late-stage assets,” Hall added.

Strategic alignment with Chinese innovators

Hall said Biogen has adopted an “open innovation research model” that has been designed to place patients at the center of its efforts regardless of “whether breakthroughs come from internal research, external discoveries, or partnerships.”

The company is actively exploring opportunities across the innovation spectrum, from pre-clinical to commercial stage. “We see strong alignment in areas where scientific complexity and unmet medical need are highest. Immunology, rare disease, nephrology, and neuroscience are core strategic priorities for Biogen and areas where Chinese innovators are driving significant advancements,” he described.

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Biogen’s approach to partnerships includes a variety of deal structures – offering early-stage partners access to scientific expertise and a path to global scale – while late-stage partners can benefit from the company’s ability to reach patients worldwide. “We’re open to a diverse range of partnerships and have demonstrated success with a variety of deal structures,” Hall emphasized.

The future vision

Looking ahead, Biogen envisions a future where its partnerships with Chinese innovators lead to transformative breakthroughs that reach patients both in China and around the world. Hall outlined the company’s long-term goals: “Success for Biogen’s partnerships with innovation from China will be measured by the future impact of breakthroughs reaching patients in China and beyond. We aim to foster collaborations that evolve beyond individual deals, forming enduring relationships rooted in trust, shared values, and mutually aligned incentives.”

Ultimately, Biogen’s mission is to ensure that transformative science, regardless of its origin, has the best opportunity to become life-changing medicine. “By helping to build a more connected, resilient, and patient-centered global innovation ecosystem, we believe Biogen and our partners can drive meaningful progress and lasting impact for people living with complex diseases,” Hall concluded.