Access to Clinical Trials in China: Why Global Cancer Patients are Looking East
- MedBridge NZ
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Key Takeaways:
Global Shift: China has surpassed the US in the annual number of clinical trials, particularly for novel cancer therapies like ADCs and bispecific antibodies.Speed & Access: Regulatory reforms and high patient volumes in China allow for faster trial enrollment, offering a lifeline for patients with relapsed or refractory conditions.Specialized Care: There is a vast research infrastructure specifically focused on lung, gastric, and liver cancers.Your Partner: As a premier medical concierge provider, MedBridge NZ navigates the complexities of Medical Tourism China, connecting international patients to these cutting-edge opportunities without the logistical stress.
For patients facing advanced stages of lung, gastric, or liver cancer, hearing that "standard therapies are no longer effective" is a devastating moment. When chemotherapy, radiation, and first-line immunotherapies have been exhausted, clinical trials in China often represent the best hope for extending life and accessing breakthrough treatments.
Traditionally, patients looked to the United States or Europe for these experimental therapies. However, a significant shift is occurring in global oncology. China has emerged as a powerhouse for novel drug development—particularly for bispecific antibodies and Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs)—offering new hope to international patients.
As a medical concierge provider specializing in Medical Tourism China, MedBridge NZ helps patients navigate this complex landscape. We do not provide medical services ourselves; instead, we bridge the gap between global patients and top-tier Chinese clinical research institutions, ensuring you have access to the options you deserve.
The New Reality: China as a Global Hub for Clinical Trials
Data confirms that the landscape of medical research has shifted. According to recent industry analysis, the number of ongoing clinical trials in China has surpassed those in the United States. This is not just about quantity; it is about the speed and accessibility of innovation.
For patients with refractory or relapsed cancers, time is the most critical resource. Participating in clinical trials in China offers several distinct advantages:
1. Accelerated Access to "Next-Generation" Therapies
China is currently leading the charge in developing complex cancer therapies, such as bispecific antibodies (drugs that target two different cancer pathways simultaneously) and ADCs (targeted "smart bombs" that deliver chemotherapy directly to cancer cells).
Rapid Development: Major global pharmaceutical companies are now licensing these molecules from Chinese biotech firms because the innovation is happening here first. For example, in 2024, large pharma companies in-licensed about 31% of their external molecules from China.
Regulatory Speed: To accelerate drug development, China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has proposed cutting clinical trial review timelines to just 30 working days. This "China landing speed" allows trials to launch and enroll patients significantly faster than in many Western jurisdictions.
2. Specialized Focus on Lung, Gastric, and Liver Cancers
While Western research often focuses heavily on cancers prevalent in their own populations, China possesses a vast research infrastructure dedicated to cancers that are highly prevalent in Asia. This makes clinical trials in China particularly relevant for patients seeking advanced solutions for:
Gastric (stomach) cancer
Hepatic (liver) cancer
Lung cancer
Abundant Trials: Because the patient population is larger, there are more trials open for recruitment. This solves a major pain point for Western patients: the "recruitment bottleneck" where patients wait months for a slot that may never open.
High Enrollment Rates: High clinical volume enables faster patient enrollment, which is a critical advantage for relapsed patients whose conditions can worsen within weeks.
3. World-Class Quality and Safety Standards
A common misconception is that faster access means lower safety. However, the regulatory environment governing clinical trials in China has undergone dramatic modernization.
International Standards: Since 2017, China has been a member of the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH), adhering to the same Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines used by the FDA and EMA.
Global Recognition: The quality of data generated in Chinese trials is now widely accepted by global regulatory bodies, evidenced by the fact that US companies frequently use Chinese trial data to speed up their own approvals.
The Role of Medical Tourism China in Clinical Access
Navigating a foreign medical system, especially one as vast as China's, can be overwhelming. This is why Medical Tourism China is becoming a vital pathway for advanced cancer care. However, simply knowing the trials exist is not enough; you need a way to access them.
Is traveling for a trial right for you?
Cost Considerations: Even for paid treatments outside of trials, costs in China can be significantly lower. For advanced therapies like CAR-T, treatment in China can cost a fraction of the price in the US (starting around $141,000 vs. $475,000), making self-funding a viable option for some families.
Logistical Support: As your medical concierge, MedBridge NZ assists with the non-clinical hurdles: visa arrangements, medical record translation, and communication with trial centers. We ensure your focus remains on recovery, while we handle the logistics.
Conclusion
For patients who have been told there are "no options left," looking East may reveal a different story. With a surge in clinical trials in China for bispecifics and ADCs, particularly for lung, stomach, and liver cancers, a new lifeline is available.
To learn more about how we facilitate access to these opportunities as your trusted concierge partner, please visit MedBridgeNZ.
References
China proposes shorter clinical trial reviews in efforts to accelerate drug development. Source: Fierce Biotech.
Faster, Cheaper Access Is Turning China Into a CAR-T Therapy Hub for Cancer Patients. Source: Yicai Global.
OCT West Coast 2025: China surpasses US for annual number of clinical trials. Source: GlobalData.
China’s share in the world of new clinical trials sponsored by the biopharma industry. Source: Fierce Biotech.
Good Clinical Practice for Drugs (China). Source: ClinRegs.
