CROs in China
CROs in China
China has rapidly established itself as one of the world's most important clinical trial destinations, offering sponsors unparalleled access to a vast and largely treatment-naive patient population, high-volume hospital sites capable of rapid enrolment, and an increasingly innovative domestic biopharma sector. With a population of over 1.4 billion and a dense network of large tertiary hospitals concentrated in major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu, China can recruit patients at a speed and scale few other countries can match. Clinical trial activity has grown dramatically over the past decade: China's Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) recorded 5,215 new drug clinical trial registrations in 2025, a 6.4% year-on-year increase and the first year annual registrations passed 5,000. Between January 2024 and June 2025, China accounted for 24% of all trials registered on the WHO's International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, overtaking the United States for the first time, and its influence is most pronounced in oncology, where GlobalData reports China's share of global oncology trial starts rose from 25% in 2016 to 55% in 2025.
The Chinese regulatory framework for clinical trials is governed by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), with applications reviewed by its Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) and studies overseen by institutional ethics committees at registered clinical trial institutions. Since joining the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) in 2017, China has undertaken sweeping reforms that have transformed it from a market used mainly for bridging studies into an integral part of global development programmes. The 60-day implied approval system introduced in 2019 has brought average clinical trial review times down to around 50 working days, and in 2025 the NMPA introduced a 30-working-day review pathway for eligible innovative drugs, designed in part to encourage early global synchronised development and international multicentre trials. Sponsors must also navigate China's Human Genetic Resources (HGR) requirements, which govern the collection and export of biological samples and data and remain one of the most important operational considerations for foreign sponsors.
Several trends are driving China's rise. Domestic biotech innovation has surged, with first-in-class drug development in China growing at a 22% CAGR between 2015 and 2024, fuelling a wave of out-licensing deals and partnerships with global pharma that rely on China-generated clinical data. China is also increasingly embedded in global trials: international multicentre trials reached 410 in 2025, accounting for 13.7% of new drug trials and nearly double the 2020 figure. Strong early-phase capacity is another draw, as China has been the main driver of global Phase I trial growth over the past decade, alongside expertise in modalities such as ADCs, bispecifics and cell therapies.
The Chinese CRO landscape has expanded significantly alongside this growth, encompassing everything from global full-service CROs with major China operations to large domestic CROs and specialist local providers with deep expertise in NMPA submissions, HGR approvals, ethics and site contracting across China's hospital network. Many CROs operating in China also support studies across Greater China and the wider Asia-Pacific region, positioning the country as both a major standalone trial market and a strategic hub for global development programmes.
COG: CRO Summit brings together International leaders from Contract Research Organizations and functional service providers in the Raleigh-Durham Research Triangle to advance operational excellence and innovation in clinical trial delivery.
This premier two-day gathering delivers actionable insights on emerging technologies, strategic collaboration, and the evolving landscape of the global CRO industry.
Find Our More Here: https://www.thepbcgroup.com/crosummit
Here you can find a selection of emerging, mid-size, and large CROs conducting and managing Phase I–IV clinical trials in China, each bringing unique expertise in navigating the country's healthcare systems and regulatory requirements.
Emerald Clinical Trials
Emerald Clinical Trials is a Singapore-headquartered, full-service CRO with 1,000+ professionals across 40+ countries. Its 2026 acquisition of Hongyi Clinical Development Services, formerly WuXi AppTec's clinical business, created Emerald Clinical 弘翼临床 in China, adding strong local site relationships and biometrics expertise. Services span first-in-human to post-marketing studies, including regulatory consulting, monitoring, pharmacovigilance and multi-regional trials connecting China to global programmes.
Novotech
Founded in Australia, Novotech is a global full-service CRO and scientific advisory partner focused on biotech and small-to-mid-sized pharma. Present in China since opening its Shanghai office in 2014, it now operates from Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu, with local site management support. Services span first-in-human through Phase III, including early-phase oncology, multi-regional trial delivery, pharmacovigilance, regulatory submissions and data management.
Linical
Linical is an Osaka-headquartered global CRO offering Phase I–IV clinical development services across Asia, Europe and the US. In China it operates through Linical China Co., Ltd. in Shanghai and a Beijing branch office, building on operations dating back to 2005. Services include clinical trial management, drug development strategy and multilingual project support for sponsors running multi-regional studies across Asia-Pacific.
CMIC Group
Founded in 1992 as Japan's first CRO, CMIC Group is now Japan's largest clinical CRO with operations across Asia-Pacific. Its China office, established in Beijing in 2007, operates as CMIC (Beijing) Co., Ltd. with a Suzhou branch. Services include regulatory and ethics submissions, clinical monitoring, site management with on-site CRCs, biometrics, CSR writing, pharmacovigilance and support for China–Japan development programmes.
HiRO
Founded in 2020, Shanghai-headquartered Harvest Integrated Research Organization (HiRO) is an OrbiMed-backed global CRO specialising in cross-border trials, helping Chinese biotechs run studies abroad and international sponsors enter China. Three acquisitions have extended its reach to Australia, New Zealand and the US. Services include clinical trial design, regulatory affairs, pharmacovigilance, statistics, data management, project management and clinical and medical monitoring.
EPS Holdings
Tokyo-headquartered EPS Holdings is a Japanese healthcare services group spanning CRO, SMO and CSO businesses, with a strong presence in China and Asia-Pacific. Its China operations include Shanghai-based EPS International (China), providing clinical research, software and data management services, and Suzhou-headquartered EPS China, whose CRO+ unit delivers clinical trial services alongside pharmaceutical and medical device businesses in the Chinese market.
Everest Clinical Research
Everest Clinical Research is a Toronto-headquartered, full-service CRO with over 700 staff, founded in 2004 as a statistics and data management centre of excellence. Its dedicated Shanghai office, in Pudong's Zhangjiang hi-tech district, forms a key part of its global biometrics operation. Services include biostatistics, data management, clinical operations, pharmacovigilance, pharmacokinetics, IRT/ePRO technologies, DSMB support, medical writing and regulatory submissions.
MERIT CRO
MERIT CRO is a Madison, Wisconsin-headquartered specialist in clinical and preclinical trial endpoint services and technology, with further offices in Iowa, Toronto and Shanghai. Its China team, established in 2022, moved into a larger office in Shanghai's Xuhui District in 2025 to support growing APAC demand. Services focus on expert centralised endpoint assessment across ophthalmology, respiratory, oncology and cardiology studies.
Tigermed
Hangzhou-headquartered Tigermed is China's largest clinical CRO by market share and the only Chinese clinical CRO in the global top 10, with 11,000+ employees across 42 countries. It has supported 61% of China's Class I new drug approvals since 2004. Services include NMPA regulatory affairs, clinical operations, site management, data management and biostatistics, medical device/IVD trials, decentralised trials and MRCTs.
Pharmaron
Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Beijing, Pharmaron is a dual-listed R&D services provider with 21,000+ employees across China, the US and UK. Its China clinical team supports Phase I–IV trials for local and international submissions, working alongside in-house SMO and patient recruitment teams. Services include regulatory affairs, clinical operations, biometrics, pharmacovigilance, quantitative pharmacology and bioanalysis for drugs and devices.
Frontage Laboratories
Frontage Laboratories is an Exton, Pennsylvania-headquartered CRDMO and subsidiary of China's Tigermed, listed in Hong Kong. Its Shanghai hub, established in 2005, anchors Asia-Pacific operations, complemented by Beijing laboratories and 18 early-phase clinical sites with over 300 beds across China. Services span bioanalysis, DMPK, safety and toxicology, CMC, Phase I–IIa and bioequivalence studies, and biometrics, supporting NMPA and FDA submissions.
Caidya
Caidya is a US-headquartered, mid-sized global CRO formed in 2022 through the merger of Shanghai-founded dMed Biopharmaceutical and US-based Clinipace, and combined with early-phase specialist Simbec-Orion in 2026. In China it operates offices in Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Wuhan, offering regulatory, clinical operations, project management, medical affairs, pharmacovigilance, data management and biostatistics services for local and multi-regional clinical studies.
ClinChoice
ClinChoice is a global full-service CRO with dual headquarters in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, and Shanghai, and over 4,000 professionals across 30+ countries. Originally founded in Tianjin as Fountain Medical Development, it operates in China as ClinChoice 昆翎. Services include clinical operations, biostatistics, data management, regulatory and medical affairs, pharmacovigilance, and, through acquisitions, Phase I, bioequivalence and traditional Chinese medicine trials.
IQVIA
IQVIA is one of the world's largest CROs, with around 93,000 employees in over 100 countries and operations in China since the late 1990s. Locally it also runs Kun Tuo, a China-dedicated CRO with offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Hangzhou. Services include full-service clinical trials, regulatory affairs, medical device studies, central laboratory services and real-world data and analytics.
ICON
Dublin-headquartered ICON plc is a leading global CRO with around 35,000 employees, offering Phase I–IV clinical development for pharma, biotech and medical device companies. Its China presence, strengthened by the 2011 acquisition of BeijingWits and PRA Health Sciences, spans offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Dalian, Guangzhou and Hong Kong, providing clinical monitoring, trial management, regulatory affairs, data science and clinical programming.
Parexel
Parexel is a leading global CRO supporting development from clinical trials through to commercialisation, with operations in China since the mid-1990s. Its Greater China footprint spans eight offices, including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenyang and Hong Kong. Services include early-phase studies through partnerships with three leading Chinese hospitals, clinical operations, NMPA regulatory consulting, data management, biostatistics, pharmacovigilance and medical writing.
PPD (Thermo Fisher Scientific)
PPD, the clinical research business of Thermo Fisher Scientific, has operated in China for more than 20 years and has 1,500+ professionals, trading locally as Bai Shi Yi. It has completed 500+ China studies, notably in oncology and infectious disease. Services include clinical development, regulatory support, and an integrated Suzhou laboratory offering central lab, bioanalytical, biomarker and vaccine sciences testing.
Syneos Health
Syneos Health is a Morrisville, North Carolina-headquartered biopharmaceutical solutions organisation combining clinical development, medical affairs and commercial capabilities. In China, its teams are concentrated in Beijing and Shanghai, with staff in cities including Guangzhou, Dalian, Wuhan, Hangzhou, Nanjing and Chengdu. Local services include site activation, clinical monitoring, project management, data management and functional service outsourcing for global and regional studies.
Fortrea
Fortrea, spun out of Labcorp in 2023 and built on more than 30 years of Covance experience, is a Nasdaq-listed global CRO operating in around 100 countries. In China it operates as Fortrea Pharmaceutical Research and Development (Beijing), with a Shanghai branch. Services include Phase I–IV trial management, NMPA regulatory consulting, clinical pharmacology, and full-service, FSP and hybrid delivery models.
Medpace
Cincinnati-headquartered Medpace is a full-service global CRO led by medical, regulatory and operational experts, known for its strictly full-service outsourcing model. In China it has offices in Beijing and Shanghai, a wholly owned Shanghai central laboratory, expanded in 2025, with biorepository services, and a Beijing core lab. Services include study start-up, monitoring, regulatory affairs, medical writing, biostatistics and data management.
PSI CRO
Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, PSI CRO is a fully independent, privately owned full-service CRO with over 3,200 employees across 58 countries. It opened its first China office in Shanghai in 2019 and a second in Beijing in 2026, closer to regulators and leading research institutions. Services include local operational and regulatory support for global clinical trials.
Precision for Medicine
Precision for Medicine is a US-based CRO specialising in oncology and rare disease, integrating clinical operations with regulatory and scientific expertise. Its Asia-Pacific team spans eight regional offices and 250 experts, with Greater China operations in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, supported by six Precision Site Network sites. Services include complex trial execution, regulatory strategy and multi-regional study delivery.
R&G PharmaStudies (诺思格)
Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Beijing, R&G PharmaStudies (诺思格) is a Shenzhen-listed clinical CRO with around 2,500 employees. It covers 60+ Chinese cities and six Asian countries and regions, partnering with 450+ hospitals. Services include registration affairs, clinical pharmacology, clinical operations, site management, data management and statistics, pharmacovigilance, bioanalysis and R&D strategy through its dedicated innovative drug science committee.
Boji Medical
Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Guangzhou, Boji Medical is a Shenzhen-listed, one-stop CRO for drugs, medical devices and health products, with clinical subsidiaries in Beijing, Shanghai and Nanjing and nearly 40 offices across China. Clinical services include protocol writing, monitoring, SMO/CRC support, data management and statistics, BE testing and patient recruitment, alongside preclinical, CDMO and FDA registration consulting services.
Sun-Novo Pharmaceutical Research (incl. Noahpharm)
Beijing-headquartered Sun-Novo Pharmaceutical Research (阳光诺和) is a STAR Market-listed CRO offering integrated preclinical and clinical drug development services across China. Its wholly owned subsidiary Noahpharm delivers clinical trials for drugs and medical devices, including innovative and 505(b)(2) products. Services span Phase I–IV trials, bioequivalence testing, PK/PD analysis, registration support, clinical monitoring and dedicated paediatric drug development platforms.
GCP ClinPlus
Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Beijing, GCP ClinPlus is a clinical CRO formed from a CRO, a medical device registration consultancy and an SMO unit, with around 500 employees across China. Investors include Tigermed. Services cover new drug R&D consulting, regulatory affairs, monitoring, data management, statistics, medical affairs and site management for drugs, biologics, vaccines, cell therapies and devices.
Anhui CTS
Anhui CTSMED Pharmaceutical Technology (Anhui CTS) is a full-service clinical CRO founded in 2010, with a headquarters in Hefei, Anhui, and over 280 staff across 28 Chinese cities. Services span scientific consultation, Phase I–IV clinical operations, medical and regulatory affairs, quality management and third-party audits, supported by its proprietary WeTrial clinical trial cloud platform. Experience includes oncology, gastroenterology and CNS.
Jingcheng CRO
Jingcheng CRO is a Beijing-based contract research organisation headquartered on Jianguomen North Street, Dongcheng District, making it one of China's longer-established domestic CROs. It provides professional technical solutions for pharmaceutical research and development, focusing on conventional medicines and biomedical technology. It supports sponsors progressing development programmes through China's evolving regulatory framework, from early research towards drug registration.
Elixir Clinical Research
Founded in 2019, Shanghai-based Elixir Clinical Research (Shengfang Pharmaceutical Research) is a technology-driven, full-service clinical CRO serving pharmaceutical and medical device companies in China. Backed by a US$52 million Series A in 2022, it manages bioequivalence, Phase I–IV, post-marketing and real-world studies, offering programme design, medical strategy, regulatory registration, data management and biostatistics, enhanced by AI and big data tools.
Bestudy
Founded in 2010, Shanghai-based Bestudy is a Chinese clinical research services provider supporting clinical trials and medical research projects for the healthcare industry, including medical device studies. Backed by investors including Hygeia Capital, it raised around US$14.7 million in 2020. Services include project management, clinical monitoring, data management, statistical analysis and NMPA medical device registration consulting for sponsors in China.
Excellent Future
Founded in 2002, Excellent Future is a Beijing-based contract research organisation headquartered in the Beijing Economic and Technological Development Zone (E-Town), one of China's major biomedical clusters. Venture-backed through a Series B round, it provides local and global customers with full professional research and development services for pharmaceutical and health products, supporting programmes through China's regulatory and drug development pathway.
Jinan Hetai Medicine Technology
Jinan Hetai Medicine Technology is a privately owned CRO based in Jinan, Shandong Province, positioned as a niche provider of clinical development services. It supports early-stage development, Phase IIb/III trials, biosimilar programmes and companion diagnostics. Services include clinical monitoring, data management, biostatistics, pharmacovigilance, medical writing and regulatory affairs, with trial design support from former US FDA experts through partner AdPHARMA.
JOINN Laboratories
Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Beijing, JOINN Laboratories is China's largest non-clinical CRO, dual-listed in Shanghai and Hong Kong, with subsidiaries in Suzhou, Shanghai, Chongqing, Guangzhou and the US, and over 2,000 professionals. Its clinical division focuses on early-phase research, offering clinical CRO services, co-managed Phase I units, bioequivalence and PK studies, bioanalysis, drug registration support and post-marketing pharmacovigilance.
Clinical Trials Centre, University of Hong Kong
Established in 1998 under HKU's Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the Clinical Trials Centre (HKU-CTC) is a full-service academic clinical research organisation coordinating trials at HKU and Queen Mary Hospital. It has facilitated over a thousand clinical studies. Services include site management, contract research, monitoring, data management, regulatory affairs and a purpose-built 24-bed Phase 1 centre for first-in-human trials.
Beijing Highthink Med (Highthink Pharmaceutical Technology Service)
Beijing Highthink Med is a domestic CRO providing clinical study and technology services to pharmaceutical, medical device and research organisations. It works with more than 400 Chinese medical institutions, mainly Tertiary A hospitals, and has completed over 300 clinical studies. Services include data management, statistical analysis, third-party audits, SMO, subject recruitment, project pre-evaluation and regulatory policy consulting.
Beijing Captain Science
Founded in 2009, Beijing Captain Science is a specialised Chinese CRO supporting drug development, lifecycle management and regulatory compliance in the Chinese market. Its pharmacovigilance division, Captain Vigilance, launched in 2013, is a core strength. Services include clinical operations, data management, biostatistics, regulatory affairs, drug safety monitoring, risk management planning and government affairs coordination, supported by a clinical data platform.
Yidu Tech
Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Beijing, Hong Kong-listed Yidu Tech is a healthcare AI and big data company working with 110 top Chinese hospitals and 44 regulators. Its Life Sciences Solutions segment supports pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device companies with analytics-driven clinical development, site management (SMO) services, investigator-initiated trial support, real-world evidence (RWE) research and digital commercialisation solutions.
Guangzhou Hipower (Haibote)
Founded in 2009, Guangzhou Hipower Pharmaceutical Technology (Haibote) is a venture-backed clinical CRO serving pharmaceutical and medical device companies in China. Its expertise spans traditional Chinese medicine, chemical drugs, biologics, devices and diagnostic reagents. Services include Phase I–IV trials, bioequivalence studies, device and stem cell trials, post-market re-evaluation of TCM and real-world studies, supported by a proprietary CTMS and EDC system.
COG: CRO Summit brings together International leaders from Contract Research Organizations and functional service providers in the Raleigh-Durham Research Triangle to advance operational excellence and innovation in clinical trial delivery.
This premier two-day gathering delivers actionable insights on emerging technologies, strategic collaboration, and the evolving landscape of the global CRO industry.
Find Our More Here: https://www.thepbcgroup.com/crosummit
