US pushes biotech licensing reviews as China narrows the patent gap

Pharmaceutical companies in the United States are confronting a looming patent cliff that could see $350 billion in annual drug sales shift to generic competitors by 2030. Revolution Medicines announced that its experimental drug daraxonrasib nearly doubled survival for pancreatic‑cancer patients who had exhausted other treatments, a breakthrough that extended former Senator Ben Sasse’s life.

In response, House lawmakers introduced the Biotech Investment National Security Act, which would require licensing deals with Chinese companies to undergo national‑security reviews. The proposal builds on earlier measures such as the BIOSECURE Act, a restriction on FDA acceptance of Chinese trial data, and a 100 % tariff on imported medicines slated to begin on July 31. Lawmakers argue that timing and certainty are critical for biotech firms, and the new review process could act as a de‑facto barrier.

Policy analysts contend that rather than restricting collaboration, the United States should accelerate its own biotech innovation to stay ahead of China’s rapidly advancing capabilities.