创新药崛起！院内用药占比持续增长，中国医药行业结构性拐点已至

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese innovative drug market is experiencing a "structural turning point," which is expected to reverse the downward trend in the pharmaceutical industry [3][11]. Industry Overview - The domestic pharmaceutical terminal sales have shown negative growth since 2024, with over 30% of regulated pharmaceutical companies reporting losses in the first half of this year [3][7]. - The low concentration in several sub-sectors, particularly in the generic drug industry, has led to "price internalization," which is a key constraint on the development of the Chinese pharmaceutical industry [3][7]. Innovative Drug Market Potential - Despite the challenges, there has been a significant emergence of innovative drug achievements in China this year, with innovative drugs rapidly increasing their market share and frequent external licensing deals [3][5]. - The market share of innovative drugs in China is currently only 8.6%, compared to over 70% in the US and European countries, indicating substantial growth potential [5][17]. Financial Performance - The overall revenue of pharmaceutical companies in China decreased by 5.5% year-on-year, but innovative transformation companies and some emerging innovative drug firms have maintained good growth and profitability [3][7]. - In the first half of 2025, 34.3% of the surveyed companies reported losses, highlighting the financial strain within the industry [7][10]. Market Dynamics - The average price level of generic drugs has been further reduced due to policies on price governance and drug price control, leading to intensified competition and downward pressure on prices [8][9]. - The Chinese pharmaceutical industry is still primarily driven by domestic circulation, with exports contributing only 10% to 15% of industrial revenue over the past four years [7][10]. Future Outlook - The commercialization of innovative drugs is expected to become the core driving force for industry growth during the downturn [11][12]. - The market for innovative drugs (including biosimilars) reached 120 billion yuan in 2023, with a growth rate of 27%, indicating a robust pipeline of new products [12][17]. Export Performance - From January to October 2025, China's pharmaceutical product exports reached 91.17 billion USD, a year-on-year increase of 3.5%, with a significant growth in formulation exports [15][16]. - The proportion of formulation exports in total pharmaceutical exports reached a historical high of 16.1%, indicating a shift in the export landscape [16]. Challenges and Opportunities - The domestic innovative drug market is still not large enough, and the pricing support system needs improvement to sustain growth [17][21]. - The industry faces challenges from funding shortages and low accessibility of innovative drugs, with about 88% of respondents in a survey indicating insufficient funding for innovative drug development [17][21]. Strategic Recommendations - To enhance the commercialization efficiency of innovative drugs, the industry should focus on reducing competition among numerous players and fostering a healthier market structure [23][24]. - Building an international innovation platform is crucial for Chinese pharmaceutical companies to capture a larger share of the global innovation dividend [24].