Fortrea Sponsorship at ChinaBio CGT

ChinaBio 2026 confirmed that CGT remains a major global growth engine, with continued expansion across regions including Asia Pacific—where China is playing an increasingly central role as both a source of innovation and a development hub. Global market projections cited at the meeting estimate growth from approximately $21.33B in 2025 to $26.21B in 2026, reinforcing the scale and momentum of this sector, while broader pharmaceutical market data highlight China as a top tier market globally. However, success will favor CROs that move early, think globally, and act as true development partners. For Fortrea, this means sharper CGT specific storytelling, earlier engagement with biotechs, and continued emphasis on execution excellence in complex clinical programs. Dr. Frederick Derosier, VP and Therapeutic Strategy Lead for Cell and Gene Therapies, presented Fortrea’s perspective on “global first” development - emphasizing that early decisions in evidence design, regulatory strategy, and manufacturing must support global progression from Day 1 - to a highly receptive audience.

Key discussions emphasized the growing complexity of CGT programs, the need for IND ready data even at early stages (including China IITs), and rising demand for experienced partners who can support speed, quality, and global scalability. As noted by Novell Wang, Fortrea’s Shanghai based and CGT focused Business Development Director, sponsors are increasingly prioritizing globally credible evidence, early regulatory alignment, and operational readiness from the outset of development. This evolving mindset was reflected in sponsor behavior, with a more pragmatic focus on de-risking strategies and execution planning, reinforcing the importance of experienced partners capable of enabling efficient and globally aligned development pathways.