The geopolitical competition between the US and China may extend into the biotechnology sector, potentially creating new tensions. Despite this, American pharmaceutical companies continue to partner with China's growing biotech industry.

The wide-ranging geopolitical rivalry between Beijing and Washington could soon expand into biotechnology, raising the prospect of fresh tensions even as American pharmaceutical firms have turned to China’s fast-growing industry for new drug candidates. Biotech in the world’s second-largest economy has long been viewed as a predominantly low-cost manufacturing base with opportunities arising from its vast domestic market. But years of sustained investment, cost advantages and faster development....