Branch² Intelligence

European drugmakers say they are ‘losing ground’ to US and Chinese rivals

UK · 2026-09-22

Key takeaway

European pharma giants AstraZeneca, GSK, and Novo Nordisk warn of eroding competitiveness versus US and Chinese rivals.

  1. Step 1 · The triggerUS and Chinese pharma firms outpace European rivals in R&D investment and speed to market, eroding the competitive position of AstraZeneca, GSK, and Novo Nordisk.
  2. Step 2 · Knock-onEuropean pharma majors face pressure to cut R&D, offshore operations, or seek protective policy measures, reducing demand for local suppliers and contract partners.
  3. Step 3 · Reaches youUK SMEs in the pharma supply chain experience slower order growth and tighter margins as procurement shifts or contracts are lost to more competitive US/Chinese firms.

The trigger is reported by the source below. The steps that follow are Branch²’s traced reasoning — how the shock could reach a business like yours, not a prediction.

Source: The Guardian Business

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