China Sets Clinical Trial Record But Starting Studies Can Be Challenging

Innovation Drive Meets Economic Downturn

Antibody-drug conjugates, GLP-1 receptor agonists and cell/gene therapies propelled a big increase in clinical trial registrations in China last year, but why do sponsors sometimes remain reluctant to actually start studies?

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China reports record-breaking clinical trial registrations, but time to study start remains lengthy • Source: Shutterstock

China has broken its own record for the number of clinical trial registrations in one year, with the total surging by 26% in 2023 to reach 4,300, notes a new annual report from the country's Center for Drug Evaluation.

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