Beijing Fast-Tracks Novel Drugs as Medical Approvals Surge

China’s regulatory approvals for new pharmaceuticals surged to a five-year high in 2025, as government efforts to fast-track novel treatments sparked a record number of green lights for first-in-class innovative drugs. 

The National Medical Products Administration’s Center for Drug Evaluation said in its annual report released May 13 that it accepted 20,149 drug-registration applications last year, a 3% increase over the previous year. The agency completed reviews for 19,375 applications, representing an increase of 6.11%.