The Russian clinical trial market is seeing a steady rise in interest from Chinese pharmaceutical manufacturers. What was once an episodic presence has now, in 2025, taken on a clear systemic character.
According to Dmitry Sharov, President of the contract research organization OCT, cited in an interview with Kommersant, the Russian Ministry of Health issued 10 clinical trial approvals to Chinese companies in 2025. This is double the average annual figure seen over the past several years.
"Some of these are being conducted in partnership with Russian companies. Jiangsu Hengrui launched two studies together with Petrovax Pharm. Nanolek is planning to bring a pneumococcal vaccine from Beijing Zhifei Lvzhu Biopharmaceutical, while Pharmapark is looking to introduce a Bio-Thera Solutions drug for plaque psoriasis," comments Dmitry Sharov. He also notes a growing number of direct inquiries from Chinese companies for OCT CRO services.
According to the State Register of Medicines (GRLS), an analysis of clinical trial permits issued in Russia from 2021 to 2025 shows consistently high activity from Chinese sponsors. The peak came in 2025 with 10 studies, fully confirming Dmitry Sharov's comments. In 2026, new trials from Chinese pharma companies have already been registered as well.
Russia is becoming more than just a sales market, it is emerging as a strategic platform for conducting clinical trials, including international multicenter studies (MMCT) and bioequivalence studies. This opens up opportunities for localizing production in Russia (as in the case of Jiangsu Hengrui and Petrovax), accessing the EAEU market with a ready Russian dossier, and reducing drug registration timelines
Interest is coming from companies of all sizes, from industry giants like Hengrui to specialized developers such as Alphamab with its innovative hemophilia drug armocibart.
Planning a study in Russia? Contract Research Organization OCT has been supporting Chinese sponsors for years, from submission to the Ministry of Health to the final study report. Contact our specialists for a consultation: info@oct-cro.com.
