# We hope the weekend respite was relaxing and invigorating.

*biotech · news · 2026-05-18 · STAT*

## Key points

- U.S. biotech firms spent $60 billion on Chinese drug molecules in early 2026 alone.
- This spending is set to double last year's total, which was ten times 2021's amount.
- China's rapid drug development and low costs are fueling U.S. companies' dependence.
- The surge creates a rift over whether Chinese firms are partners or competitors in biotech.

**Countries:** United States, China

[Read the full story on STAT](https://www.statnews.com/pharmalot/2026/05/18/biotech-has-china-problem-regeneron-melanoma-drug-flops/)

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