Innovation propels Beijing's rise as a global health care hub

A breakthrough brain-computer interface (BCI) system developed in Beijing is enabling paralyzed patients to control a robotic arm with their thoughts, symbolizing how the city's now trillion-yuan healthcare industry is translating innovation into tangible health solutions.

Beijing's pharmaceutical and health care industry hit 1.06 trillion yuan ($151 billion) in total scale in 2024, supported by a suite of innovative policies, according to the Beijing Municipal Health Commission.

The city now leads the nation in cumulative approvals of innovative medical devices and artificial intelligence-powered Class III medical devices.

The Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, also known as Beijing's E-town, the core hub of the city's pharmaceutical and health care sector, is home to more than 5,000 biopharmaceutical enterprises spanning the entire industry chain. By 2025, two innovative drugs and three innovative medical devices had obtained market approval.

In October, AstraZeneca launched its Global R&D Beijing Strategic Center in the Beijing's E-town, tapping Beijing's strengths in scientific research and AI to accelerate drug development, deepen industry-research collaboration and promote the clinical application of scientific advances.

Policy innovation has become a key driver of growth. Beijing has rolled out 32 measures in 2024 and 2025 to support the pharmaceutical and health care industry, targeting critical development bottlenecks.

By 2025, the median time required to initiate clinical trials had been reduced to 21.4 weeks, seven innovative drug projects were included in a review and approval pilot program, and fast-track channels for urgently needed drugs and medical devices were in place.

In addition, 26 clinically urgent drugs and devices, including 21 for rare diseases, have been imported via a green channel. Dedicated policies for synthetic biology, cell therapy and gene therapy have strengthened basic research and the commercialization of scientific advances, driving breakthroughs in several innovative drug projects.

To sustain momentum, Beijing established a 20-billion-yuan special fund for the pharmaceutical and health care industry. The fund has approved investments in 77 projects, offering diversified financial support across the sector. The Beijing's E-town is building a platform to help bring global pharmaceutical research to market, while Changping district is focusing on original innovation, creating a complementary development model across the city.

Looking ahead, Beijing will continue integrating scientific and industrial innovation in the pharmaceutical and health care sector, officials said. The city aims to accelerate the commercialization of research achievements, build competitive advantages and advance high-quality development to strengthen public health through innovation.