As the U.S. government faces up to China's expanding role in the global biopharma ecosystem, one senator has been looking at the bigger picture.

Since 2024, Senator Todd Young (R-IN) has been chairman of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB), which is charged with reviewing how the sector could impact national security. A major focus of the commission of late has been the rise of China’s biotech industry, which has grown from a manufacturing and me-too powerhouse to a global leader in innovative medicine development.

Evaluate data shared with Fierce illustrates how fast the landscape is changing—Chinese assets are positioned to account for more than two-thirds of total biopharma licensing deal value this year, up from about half in 2025 and less than 5% just five years ago.

There has been plenty of talk in D.C. about proposed bills and policies aimed at limiting investment in China's biotech industry and onshoring drug manufacturing, but Young has his eyes on what he considers a greater long-term threat.

“China is no longer simply manufacturing generic medicine; it's become a leading source of novel biopharmaceutical innovation, and therefore our debate in Washington is evolving from concerns about manufacturing dependence and economic resiliency to broader concerns regarding the loss of our innovation,” Young told Fierce in an interview.

“The commission recognizes that it's not realistic to simply shut the door on U.S.-China biopharmaceutical partnerships overnight, but our priority should be reducing strategic dependence over time,” he said.

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