1. Scrip
  2. >>Focus On Asia
  3. >>China

Alibaba's Historic $2.8bn Fine Signals Coming Antitrust Wave In China

Pharma Industry Group Prioritizes Compliance

 
• By Brian Yang

China's historic antitrust fine against Alibaba indicates regulatory attention to anticompetitive practices is mounting. Past cases show the pharma sector is not immune and while it remains segmented, investigators appear to be taking a generally more sophisticated approach to transgressions. 

Antitrust law gavel
HISTORIC ALIBABA FINE SIGNALS NEW WAVE OF ANTITRUST LITIGATION • Source: Shutterstock

Citing antitrust and anticompetition violations for sales methods used by Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba’s TMall and its giant mobile payment platform Alipay, Chinese authorities have handed a record-setting fine to Jack Ma’s empire, potentially igniting a new wave of antitrust ligation in China with far-reaching implications.

After months of speculation, the other shoe has finally dropped, with the fine of CNY18.23bn ($2.78bn) the highest so far levied on a single corporation in the country. On 10...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Scrip for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from China

Degron Eyes Deals For Novel Molecular Glue Degrader Assets

 
• By Dexter Jie Yan

Pursuing first-in-class molecular glue degraders using undruggable targets could eventually help Degron Therapeutics land sizable asset-based deals, CEO Lily Zou tells Scrip.

Ascentage Broadens Horizons As Pipeline Shows Renewed Promise

 
• By Xu Hu

Ascentage will share at ASCO new clinical data on its Bcl-2 inhibitor lisaftoclax, part of the Chinese firm's novel pipeline, on which its CEO shared with Scrip plans and strategy, along with some views on the use of RWD in China.

Strong Data For CARsgen’s CAR-T In Late-Line Gastric Cancer

 
• By Dexter Jie Yan

In first confirmatory randomized controlled trial of any CAR-T therapy in solid tumors, CARsgen’s Claudin 18.2-targeting satri-cel reduced risk of death or disease progression by 63% in Chinese patients with gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer.

Hengrui Set For Biggest Biopharma IPO So Far This Year

 
• By Dexter Jie Yan

Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals is gearing up for what will be 2025's biggest biopharma IPO so far, hoping to raise up to $1.27bn on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. China's top drug maker by pipeline size plans to use part of the proceeds to reboot its overseas clinical trials ambitions.

More from Focus On Asia

Loss Of Exclusivity Product Launches To Fuel Aurobindo’s FY26 Europe Growth

 
• By Vibha Ravi

Aurobindo is banking on launches of loss of exclusivity products and biosimilars to fuel sales in Europe as it awaits a US announcement on tariffs and predicts high single-digit growth overall during FY26 for now

Korea Q1 Roundup: Mixed Earnings, Gearing For Possible US Tariffs

 
• By Jung Won Shin

South Korean biopharma companies report a mostly solid first quarter, marked by US growth for original drugs, with several also making preparations for possible US pharma tariffs.

In Brief: Nicox Extends Cash Runway As Kowa Advances NCX 470 In Japan

 
• By Sushmita Panda

Eye drug is already in Phase III trials elsewhere, with results due in Q3. Nicox could earn up to a further €24.5m in milestones and royalties from Kowa alliance.