China Immunotherapy Drug Market Size, Share, Trends and Forecasts 2031

Key Findings

• The China Immunotherapy Drugs Market is experiencing strong and sustained growth driven by advances in immune-based therapies, expanding indications across cancers, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases.
• Monoclonal antibodies, immune checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T cell therapies, cancer vaccines, and cytokine therapies dominate the market, with next-generation modalities gaining momentum.
• Increasing prevalence of cancer worldwide, along with improved diagnostics and patient access to biologic therapies, is fueling market demand in China.
• Regulatory approvals and hospital adoption of novel immunotherapies for solid tumors and hematologic malignancies are accelerating uptake.
• High cost, complex manufacturing, safety challenges (e.g. cytokine release syndrome), and accessibility in lower-income regions remain significant barriers.
• Strategic licensing, partnerships, and biosimilar developments are enhancing competitive dynamics and regional availability.
• Integration of biomarkers, companion diagnostics, and precision medicine is optimizing therapeutic response and reducing non-responder rates.
• Increasing government funding, public–private initiatives, and cancer immunology research are laying infrastructure for future innovation in China.

China Immunotherapy Drugs Market Size and Forecast

The China Immunotherapy Drugs Market is projected to grow from USD 125.4 billion in 2025 to USD 240.3 billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of ~12.2% over the forecast period. Growth is driven by broadening approvals in oncology, expansion into autoimmune and inflammatory disease areas, and rising adoption of cell and gene immunotherapies. In China, improving healthcare infrastructure, expanded biologics access programs, and growing oncology patient volumes are key contributors. The maturation of biosimilar markets for monoclonal antibodies and economies of scale in manufacturing will further support sustainable growth.

Introduction

Immunotherapy drugs modulate or harness the immune system to treat disease, particularly cancer. These therapies include monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), immune checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., PD-1/PD-L1, CTLA-4), CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) T cells, cancer vaccines, oncolytic viruses, and cytokine therapies (e.g. interleukins, interferons). Unlike conventional cytotoxic agents, immunotherapies offer more targeted mechanisms with potential for durable responses and even cures. Their successful application has reshaped oncology paradigms, and expanding into autoimmunity, infectious diseases, and transplant medicine is under way. 

Future Outlook

By 2031, the China immunotherapy market will evolve toward more personalized, combination, and next-generation immune modalities. Key growth areas will include bispecific antibodies, TCR (T-cell receptor) therapeutics, gene-engineered immune cells beyond CAR-T (e.g., NK cell, macrophage therapies), and neoantigen-based vaccines. Combination regimens using immunotherapies plus targeted therapies, radiation, or chemotherapy will become standard in many malignancies. The use of biomarkers and companion diagnostics will allow patient stratification, improved response rates, and minimized toxicity. Manufacturing innovations such as automation, allogeneic “off-the-shelf” products, and novel vector systems will reduce cost and expand access. 

China Immunotherapy Drugs Market Trends

• Expansion of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICI)
  ICIs targeting PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4 are central to immuno-oncology. In China, rising use in melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and other solid tumors is driving large market volume.

• Growth of Cell Therapy and CAR-T
  CAR-T therapies are gaining approvals for hematologic malignancies. In China, investment in infrastructure (GMP facilities, cell processing labs) is increasing, facilitating adoption. Next-gen CAR-T for solid tumors and allogeneic platforms are advancing.

• Adoption of Bispecific and Multispecific Antibodies
  Bispecific antibodies (e.g. BiTEs) engage both tumor antigens and immune effector cells. These are being developed and trialed in China for cancer and immune dysregulation applications.

• Combination Therapies as Standard of Care
  Combining immunotherapies with chemotherapy, targeted agents, radiotherapy, or other immunomodulators is becoming standard, improving efficacy and overcoming resistance.

• Integration of Biomarkers and Precision Immunotherapy
  Biomarker-driven patient selection (e.g. PD-L1, TMB, MSI) is increasingly required to improve response rates and cost-effectiveness. In China, adoption of companion diagnostic testing is rising.

• Immunotherapy in Autoimmune & Infectious Diseases
  Beyond oncology, immunomodulatory biologics and engineered immune agents are being explored in autoimmune disease, viral infections, and transplant tolerance in China.

Market Growth Drivers

• Rising Cancer Burden
  Increasing incidence and survival in cancer in China leads to growing demand for advanced therapies including immunotherapy.

• Clinical Success and Durable Responses
  Immunotherapies can produce long-term responses and cure in some patients, making them highly attractive clinically and commercially.

• Research & Funding in Immunology
  Strong public/private funding in immunology, cancer research, and translational medicine in China is fueling pipeline development and technology adoption.

• Regulatory Incentives and Accelerated Pathways
  Regulatory frameworks like breakthrough therapy designations, fast-track, and orphan status enable faster immunotherapy approvals in China.

• Patient Willingness to Pay & Reimbursement Expansion
  As patients and payers accept high-cost therapies for robust clinical benefit, insurance programs in China are increasingly supporting immunotherapies.

Challenges in the Market

• High Cost and Reimbursement Barriers
  Manufacturing, development, and administration of immunotherapies are costly, limiting access especially in lower-resource settings in China.

• Safety and Toxicity Management
  Immune-related adverse events (irAEs), cytokine release syndrome, neurotoxicity, and off-target effects present risk, requiring specialized care settings.

• Manufacturing Complexity & Scalability
  Cell and gene-based immunotherapies require stringent GMP production, supply chain, vector manufacturing, and QC all bottlenecks to scale-up in China.

• Non-Responder Rates and Resistance
  Many patients do not respond to immunotherapy. Overcoming primary and acquired resistance remains a significant clinical challenge.

• Regulatory & Intellectual Property Hurdles
  Regulatory oversight of living drug products, long-term safety data, and overlapping IP claims create barriers to entry and commercialization.

China Immunotherapy Drugs Market Segmentation

By Therapy Type

• Monoclonal Antibodies (mAbs)

• Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (PD-1/PD-L1, CTLA-4)

• CAR-T Cell Therapies

• Bispecific Antibodies / BiTEs / Multispecific

• Cancer Vaccines & Oncolytic Viruses

• Cytokine & Interleukin Therapies

• TCR / TCR-mimetic Therapies

• Cell-based (NK, Macrophage Therapies, etc.)

• Gene-engineered Immune Modifiers

By Indication

• Oncology (solid tumors, hematologic malignancies)

• Autoimmune Diseases

• Infectious Diseases

• Transplant and Graft Rejection

• Others (e.g. aging, immuno-oncology combos)

By End-User

• Hospitals & Oncology Centers

• Specialty Clinics

• Research Institutes & Academic Centers

• Contract Development & Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs)

By Distribution Channel

• Direct Hospital/Clinic Sales

• Specialty Pharmacies

• National Biologics Distributors

• Online Specialty Biologics Platforms

Leading Key Players

• Bristol Myers Squibb

• Merck & Co.

• Novartis

• Roche (Genentech)

• AbbVie

• Amgen

• Gilead Sciences (Kite, Yescarta)

• Johnson & Johnson (Janssen)

• AstraZeneca

• Sanofi

Recent Developments

• Bristol Myers Squibb expanded its PD-1/CTLA-4 combination immunotherapy program in China, increasing access to combination regimens.

• Novartis scaled up CAR-T manufacturing capacity in China to support local patients and reduce import barriers.

• Roche launched new bispecific antibody candidates in China targeting dual antigen expression in solid tumors.

• Gilead (Kite Unit) initiated clinical trials in China for allogeneic CAR-T platforms to reduce cost and improve scalability.

• Merck expanded its PD-1 inhibitor distribution agreements across hospitals and oncology networks in China to increase patient reach.

This Market Report Will Answer the Following Questions

1. What is the projected market size and CAGR of the China Immunotherapy Drugs Market by 2031?

2. Which immunotherapy modalities and indications will drive the most growth in China?

3. How are biomarker-driven patient selection, manufacturing innovations, and cost control shaping the competitive landscape?

4. What are the key challenges in scalability, safety, access, and regulation across immunotherapies?

5. Who are the major players leading innovation, partnerships, and market expansion in China’s immunotherapy domain?