Biotech CEOs Fear Chinese Rivals, AI Hype, and Trump’s Drug Price Reversal

BOSTON — At the BIO 2026 conference, biotech executives wrestled with three big worries: competition from Chinese biotech firms, whether artificial intelligence can actually make money, and the staying power of Trump-era drug price policies. Industry leaders said Chinese biotech companies are growing fast and threatening U.S. dominance. Executives also questioned the profitability of AI tools, noting that many investments have yet to show clear returns. Meanwhile, they expressed doubt that the Trump administration’s moves to lower drug prices will last under a new president. The conference highlighted a sector struggling to balance innovation with political and market pressures.