The State Of CAR-T Research In China

By Siqi Huang and Peter Su, Novotech

Due to their potential to address a variety of cancer-related conditions and the opportunity for refinement and expansion into other diseases, CAR T-cell therapies have garnered increasing attention in clinical trials on a global scale. Over the past decade or so, this expansive potential has gained significant traction in China, which serves as the primary location for the majority of CAR-T therapy trials and where numerous global companies opt to conduct their research.

Currently, China dominates the CAR-T therapy space in terms of trials – more than half of all CAR-T trials today are conducted in China, more than double that of the U.S. These two countries stand out as the indisputable leaders in this field; for each CAR-T therapy developed by a U.S. company, Chinese companies have 1.5 CAR-T therapies in various stages of development, contributing significantly to over 80 percent of global CAR-T trials. Furthermore, CAR-T research and development trends in China align closely with global patterns. As research into non-tumor applications for CAR-T therapies has expanded worldwide, China has also witnessed a notable increase in CAR-T studies focusing on indications beyond cancer, including potential treatments for conditions like HIV or lupus.

While numerous opportunities are available for companies seeking to undertake CAR-T research in China, embarking on this path requires careful consideration. Collaborating with a clinical research organization (CRO) possessing the expertise to facilitate trial placement in China can be invaluable in addressing these specific challenges.