US pharmaceutical industry and government leaders met on February 17, 2026 in Washington to discuss growing competition from China in drug development[2]. According to former FDA chief Scott Gottlieb, 46% of mRNA vaccine development is currently done in China, although the technology was developed in the US[2]. Experts emphasize the need for systemic changes in order for the US to maintain its position as a leader in pharmaceutical product innovation[2]. However, Chinese biotech companies are still dependent on US capital and the US market to keep their ecosystem functioning[2]. Industry officials, including Surgeon General Mehmet Oz, consider the changes a "seismic shift" and believe the new laws will bring greater transparency[2]. US pharmaceutical companies are faced with the need to actively consider system changes in order to compete with growing competition from China in the global pharmaceutical market[2].