H1 2026 clinical trials: China, funding and technology set the agenda
H1 2026 clinical trials: China, funding and technology set the agenda
Publish Date: 2026-05-20 01:03:00
Source Domain: www.clinicaltrialsarena.com
Peter Barschdorff, vice president and head of Deallus, a GlobalData company, presenting at OCT East Coast. Credit: Arena International / Brandon Reynolds
As we approach the end of H1, experts have shared their views on the main trends impacting clinical trials in 2026.
At Arena International’s Outsourcing in Clinical Trials (OCT) East Coast conference, held on 12 and 13 May in New Brunswick, Jersey, experts reflected on H1 2026 and discussed the trends they expect to continue shaping the remainder of the year.
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
Find out more
China’s domination balloons
One major trend set to continue in 2026 and for years to come, is the rise of China, said Peter Barschdorff, vice president and head of Deallus, a GlobalData company.
Research shows that in the US, the percentage of trials initiated has dropped from 49% in 2015 to 33% in 2025. Meanwhile, China has seen a significant rise, from 4% in 2015 to 30% in 2025.
This push is translating into results for China, with data showing it takes seven months on average for Phase I trials compared to 17 or more in the US. In addition, Phase I trial costs in China are 32% to 52% lower than in the US.
“The speed is just unbelievable. Not only is China cheaper, but also faster, and can lead to the approval of the asset much earlier. Of course, there are some risks – not everything is as well-oiled a…
.jpg "EBU unveils nominees for Technology and Innovation Awards 2026")
