Shanghai is stepping up its efforts to protect intellectual property (IP) in the biopharmaceutical sector, significantly boosting the confidence of foreign pharmaceutical companies in investing in the city.
In recent years, the Shanghai Intellectual Property Administration (SIPA) has implemented robust IP protection measures, earning praise from multinational pharmaceutical giants such as Germany's Bayer and Boehringer Ingelheim, and Switzerland's Roche, all of which have expressed their appreciation by presenting SIPA with banners of thanks.
Most recently, Japan's Takeda Pharmaceuticals sent a letter of gratitude to the Shanghai municipal government, praising the city's professional and efficient IP protection system. Takeda noted that these efforts have encouraged innovation and strengthened its commitment to expanding its investment in China.
Shanghai's strategy to protect IP in the biopharmaceutical industry includes several key measures. One of the primary approaches is the use of administrative adjudication for patent infringement disputes. This method, known for its efficiency, low cost, and specialized expertise, has proven essential in resolving patent disputes. In recent years, SIPA has handled many biopharmaceutical patent infringement cases through administrative adjudication, effectively protecting the legitimate rights of pharmaceutical companies. Two of these cases were selected as national models for IP protection, further showcasing the city's leadership in this area.
In addition, Shanghai has explored new ways to protect IP during the drug procurement process. In addition, Shanghai has deepened IP protection in drug procurement. Following the landmark procurement-related patent infringement case concluded earlier, the city issued the measures for the listing operation of drugs on Shanghai Medical Procurement Platform in October 2025, optimizing the process with mechanisms such as priority listing for innovative drugs to strengthen the entire supply chain protection of patented drugs.
To further enhance IP protection, Shanghai has established streamlined services to support the rapid protection of patent rights. Through the Shanghai Intellectual Property Protection Center and the Pudong New Area IP Protection Center, biopharmaceutical companies have access to one-stop services including expedited pre-examination — with the average authorization cycle for invention patents shortened to three months — and patent navigation, supporting the industrial innovation chain.
By taking these proactive steps, Shanghai continues to strengthen its position as a leader in IP protection for the biopharmaceutical industry, reassuring foreign investors and encouraging further development in the sector.
