Pharma services boom in China as CPHI & PMEC China posts record attendance

The pharma industry in China is expected to grow rapidly in 2025 as CPHI & PMEC China (June 19-21^st) reported a ‘bumper’ event at the Shanghai New International Expo Center.

The event, widely seen as a key leading indicator for growth in the year ahead, saw a remarkable 93,244 attendees from 135 countries. Highlighting the industry’s rapid internationalisation, nearly 25% of its record-breaking visitors were international, and the exhibition floor spanned 220,000 square meters and 26 halls.

Jenny Leung, Regional Manager, Informa Markets commented: “We have seen soaring demand first hand in China this year with a massive 3358 companies taking part. This is the largest ever pharma event in Asia and it’s increasingly international in focus – with hundreds of exhibitors from international companies and a quarter of visitors.”

CPHI & PMEC China played host to exhibitors from across Europe – including Switzerland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain – as well as from the United States and, of course, Asian countries India, South Korea, Japan and Malaysia.

China is also seeing a broadening scope of pharma supply partners, and this year CPHI & PMEC added zones for Bioengineering and Life Sciences, which were both at full capacity during their inaugural year. This was in addition to the event’s ten existing zones spanning: Ingredients, Natural Extracts, Bio Pharma, Pharma Excipients, Contract Services, Finished Dosage, Pharma Machinery, Packaging & Drug Delivery, Laboratory Instrument & Equipment, and Clean Technology & Environmental Protection.

“The other notable shift we see in China is the rapid modernisation of its pharma manufacturing sector, as companies look to greener, digital and next generation equipment. And, in 2024 we had over 1000 machinery suppliers exhibiting, which is far more than at any other show and a further key data point to suggest we will see significant growth in this industry both over the short and medium term,” Leung added.

In another boon to pharma in China, more than 700 domestic and international pharmaceutical regulatory officials and industry experts spoke at the event, with more than 343 international meetings alone arranged within the specialist Hosted Buyer Programme. Beyond the comprehensive Chinese language programme, CPHI & PMEC China 2024 conducted a series of insightful English-language conferences, offering attendees a well-rounded experience. Highlights included the China-World Innovation and Development Forum 2024 and the 9^th China Biopharmaceuticals Outlook Summit.

In fact, such has been the growth in China, that CPHI is introducing a second pharma event to the region. CPHI & PMEC Shenzhen will be hosted at Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center (SZCEC) and take place in September (9-11). The event, held in one of the country’s ‘five-day visa free’ regions, will empower international audiences to meet with exhibitors within one of the country’s largest pharmaceutical hubs [the Greater Bay Area] – the largest ‘megacity’ urban area in the world. Over 10,000 visitors from around the world are expected to attend, fostering new opportunities to partner with China’s diverse and growing supplier base.