In a development that could reshape the global landscape of biotechnology, a team led by Tsinghua University in China has unveiled a groundbreaking technique for making biological tissues transparent, offering scientists an unprecedented view into the inner workings of organs. This advance, announced on August 17, 2025, arrives amid a surge of innovation and investment that is rapidly elevating China to the forefront of biotech, challenging the long-standing dominance of the United States and shifting the balance of power in one of the world’s most consequential industries.
For decades, researchers have sought ways to peer inside organs without damaging their delicate structures. Traditional imaging methods often require slicing tissues into thin sections, risking the loss of vital spatial information. But the new method developed by the Tsinghua-led team sidesteps these limitations. By preparing what they describe as “ionic glassy tissue,” the researchers have achieved a level of transparency that preserves the original morphology of biological samples. This approach enables the creation of “highly accurate and vivid” three-dimensional images, allowing scientists to study organs in their entirety without destructive processing.
“[The method] prepares ionic glassy tissue that is highly transparent while maintaining the original tissue morphology,” the team wrote, as reported by the South China Morning Post. What’s more, when stored at low temperatures, these tissues form a stable glassy solid that maintains its structural integrity for the long term. This capability not only enhances research precision but also promises to facilitate large-scale studies and long-term storage of valuable biological specimens.
This technical leap is emblematic of a much broader trend: China’s biotech sector is in the midst of a remarkable transformation, fueled by strategic investments and a national commitment to scientific leadership. According to the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), China has evolved from a perennial follower to a near-peer innovator, with a national strategy that pours billions into research and development. Public funding for biotech reached at least 20 billion yuan (about $2.8 billion) in 2023 alone, a figure that dwarfs previous years and signals Beijing’s determination to seize the initiative in this high-stakes field.
The impact of this investment is already visible across multiple fronts. China’s share of global biotech patents under the Patent Cooperation Treaty has surged, surpassing Europe in many areas and closing in on the United States in others. The Mercator Institute for China Studies (Merics) notes that Chinese firms are now leading the world in cutting-edge domains such as antibody-drug conjugates and bispecific antibodies—technologies that are revolutionizing cancer treatment and other fields.
Speed is another area where China is making waves. Chinese biotech startups can launch clinical trials within 18 months of founding—a timeline that’s often several years faster than what’s typical in the U.S. As highlighted by a PwC analysis, this accelerated pace is forcing American companies to rethink their strategies. The urgency is underscored by a steep drop in U.S. early-stage biotech funding, which fell from $2.6 billion in the first quarter of 2025 to just $900 million in the second quarter, according to industry observers posting on X (formerly Twitter).
These developments have not gone unnoticed by American industry leaders. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla recently called for increased government support to help U.S. firms keep pace, warning in Yahoo Finance that China’s rise poses a direct challenge to established biotech hubs like California’s Bay Area. Meanwhile, a CNBC report points to China’s massive pool of STEM talent—churning out ten times more science and engineering graduates annually than the U.S.—as a key driver of its biotech boom.
Geopolitical tensions are adding another layer of complexity. U.S. policies, including export controls on advanced technology, are intended to slow China’s ascent but may also inadvertently accelerate Beijing’s push for self-reliance. The Asia Society Policy Institute describes the current dynamic as “stark competition,” with China’s share of global clinical trial starts leaping from just 1% to 30% over the past decade. A lively discussion on Reddit’s r/technology forum, titled “China’s biotech boom leaves US playing catch-up,” reflects a growing sense of anxiety in American tech circles, with users citing articles from the San Francisco Chronicle warning of threats to Bay Area preeminence stemming from restrictive Trump-era policies.
Yet, China’s biotech sector is not without its vulnerabilities. Despite its rapid progress, it remains dependent on overseas markets for the most advanced products. According to the Merics report, ongoing restrictions could confine Chinese firms to mid-tier positions in the global supply chain—a risk that both Beijing and industry leaders are keenly aware of.
In response, U.S. companies are increasingly looking to collaborate rather than compete head-on. Major pharmaceutical firms have begun licensing drugs invented by Chinese startups, as reported by BioPharma Dive. This trend has raised the bar for innovation across the board, with investors noting that “competition has risen” and that American biotechs must now work harder to stay ahead.
Looking to the future, the race between China and the U.S. will likely hinge on three main factors: talent, regulation, and investment. As of mid-2025, China’s strategy of developing “new-quality productive forces” places biotechnology at the heart of its economic modernization plans, according to the Observer Research Foundation. For the U.S., matching this ambition may require a shift in policy—perhaps taking a page from China’s playbook by adopting a longer-term vision and boosting public investment in novel areas of biology, where it still holds an edge in cell and gene therapies.
The stakes could hardly be higher. As a former FDA commissioner observed on X, Chinese biotechs are “displacing U.S. innovation,” underscoring the urgency for adaptation. With one-third of global drug candidates in clinical trials now Chinese-developed, the momentum appears to be shifting eastward. At the same time, a CGTN report notes a surge in licensing deals as U.S. and European firms seek access to China’s burgeoning pipeline of new medicines.
Ultimately, the contest between China and the United States in biotechnology is about far more than patents or profits. At its core, it is a battle for leadership in a field that will define the future of health, security, and economic power. With breakthroughs like Tsinghua’s see-through brain technique and a relentless drive toward innovation, China is making its intentions clear—and the world is taking notice.
As the biotech race accelerates, both nations face hard choices about how to foster discovery, protect national interests, and ensure that the benefits of scientific progress are shared as widely as possible. The next chapter in this story is still unwritten, but one thing is certain: the outcome will shape lives and livelihoods for generations to come.