More Than a Market: UK Biotechs Look to China for R&D, Trials and Capital

Editor’s note: This article was written by Lucia, a TechNode reporter. The big picture: Nine UK life sciences companies participated in a business matchmaking event in Shanghai on October 12, as part of a three-day China trade mission organized by London & Partners through Grow London Global.

• The companies represented sectors including biotechnology, biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, data-driven diagnostics and digital health. The event featured company presentations followed by one-on-one meetings with potential Chinese partners. Why it matters: The event aimed to facilitate UK-China cooperation in technology research and development (R&D), clinical validation, market expansion, product licensing, and investment, according to its official announcement. Highlights from the event, from welcome remarks and thematic presentations to company pitches.

What UK companies want:

• Across the delegation: The participating companies were looking for Chinese pharmaceutical and biotech companies, hospitals, contract research organizations (CROs), data partners and investors, while several were also assessing local clinical, regulatory and market-entry pathways.
• Axiom Therapeutics: The drug developer already works with Shanghai CROs and wants to expand its R&D presence in China, including clinical and laboratory partnerships. CEO Dr. Ryan Geiser told TechNode that the company had also discussed potential clinical trials with Fudan University.
• Looking further ahead, he said “just about every one of them needs to have China in their three- to five-year plan,” referring to biotech drug developers globally.
• Curenetics: The AI precision-medicine company is seeking Chinese hospitals, biotech and pharmaceutical companies as partners, as well as local investment to support its expansion.
• “We’re also very keen to get venture investment from Chinese companies,” CEO Dr. Sola Adeleke told TechNode, adding that the funding could support hiring and a local presence in China.

The Chinese perspective:

• Among Chinese attendees interviewed: Interests included assessing overseas technologies and investment opportunities, exploring joint R&D and product development, and finding partners that could support both China-market cooperation and overseas expansion.
• Looking abroad: Shanghai Aijin Artificial Intelligence CEO Shuyuan Ling said the company, which develops neuroimaging and brain-related technologies, is exploring investment, China-market partnerships and joint development.
• A global supplier to Siemens Healthineers, the company sees overseas expansion as a way to access more diverse data and broaden its products beyond China. Ling said international business could account for at least 70% of operations within three to five years.
• Investor interest: An anonymous Chinese attendee involved in innovation investment said the event offered a chance to track overseas technologies, compare Chinese and foreign strengths, and explore potential investment or collaboration. The broader context: The event fits within London & Partners’ broader effort to help companies expand internationally through Grow London Global.