Asia-Pacific strengthens biotech edge amidst scaling constraints

Government investment powers rapid biotech growth.

Asia-Pacific is strengthening its position as a global biotech hub, driven by coordinated government policies, expanding research ecosystems, and deepening cross-border collaboration. According to Rathanesh Ramasundram, APAC Head of Healthcare & Lifesciences (Advisory) at Frost & Sullivan, the region’s rise is rooted in “sustained government commitment and strategic investment in innovation.”

China continues to dominate regional funding, supported by national biotech funds and large-scale innovation districts. Ramasundram noted that “China leads with national biotech funds and large scale hubs like the Zhangjiang Science City, creating a strong research and industrial momentum.”

Japan’s emphasis on regenerative medicine and South Korea’s bio vision 2030 strategy are further expanding local capabilities and international collaboration. A genetically diverse patient base also gives the region an advantage, with Ramasundram highlighting that it “helps accelerate clinical trials and real world data generation, giving APAC a competitive edge in translational research.” Together, these dynamics position Asia-Pacific as “one of the most dynamic centers for biotech innovation today.”

Still, scaling biotech solutions globally remains challenging for regional startups. “Late stage funding remains limited,” Ramasundram says, and regulatory fragmentation across markets “continues to create delays and added complexity,” often requiring separate clinical trial approvals for each market.

Looking ahead, Ramasundram sees strong potential in “cell and gene therapies, precision oncology and regenerative medicine,” alongside South Korea’s growing CAR-T ecosystem and Singapore’s advancements in AI-enabled drug discovery. She also cites rising momentum in digital therapeutics and genomics platforms as personalised care and chronic disease management needs grow.