CPHI & PMEC China 2026 concluded successfully in Shanghai, bringing together thousands of pharmaceutical companies, industry professionals, and international buyers. The three-day exhibition highlighted the growing importance of global collaboration, pharmaceutical innovation, and supply chain development.

CPHI & PMEC China 2026 Sets New Records

The 24th CPHI China and 19th PMEC China took place from June 16 to 18, 2026, at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC).

Organized by Informa Markets, the China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Medicines & Health Products (CCCMHPIE), and Sinoexpo Informa Markets, the exhibition demonstrated the continued expansion of China’s pharmaceutical industry and its connections with international markets.

According to the official post-show report, the event achieved several significant milestones:

These figures reinforce the exhibition’s position as a major international platform for pharmaceutical ingredients, manufacturing technologies, packaging solutions, and industry cooperation.

International Participation Reaches a New High

One of the most significant achievements of CPHI & PMEC China 2026 was the continued growth in international attendance.

The exhibition recorded 33,170 international visitor visits, representing more than 25% of total attendance and setting a new record.

International attendance has increased considerably over the past four editions:

Compared with 2023, international visitor attendance nearly doubled, reflecting stronger interest in China’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities, raw material supply networks, and technological developments.

Asia accounted for 68.4% of international visits, followed by Europe at 16.4% and North America at 4.5%. Visitors also arrived from the Middle East, Africa, South America, and Oceania.

India, South Korea, Russia, Bangladesh, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Pakistan, Thailand, the United States, and several European countries were among the major international markets represented.

The exhibition also welcomed 242 international exhibitors from 33 countries and regions, further strengthening its international business network.

Pharmaceutical Ingredients Remain a Core Industry Segment

CPHI & PMEC China 2026 covered multiple sectors across the pharmaceutical manufacturing value chain, including active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), pharmaceutical intermediates, excipients, biotechnology, contract services, manufacturing equipment, and packaging systems.

According to the exhibitor breakdown, pharmaceutical ingredients represented the largest category.

The substantial representation of pharmaceutical ingredients underscores their essential role in the global pharmaceutical supply chain.

For chemical manufacturers and suppliers, the exhibition provided opportunities to explore market requirements, connect with pharmaceutical producers, and discuss product quality, regulatory compliance, and international sourcing.

High-Quality Buyers and Business Opportunities

Beyond its exhibition scale, CPHI & PMEC China 2026 attracted a substantial number of industry decision-makers.

According to the official visitor analysis, approximately 89% of professional visitors held or influenced purchasing decisions.

Senior executives, including company presidents, chairpersons, managing directors, and general managers, accounted for 26.18% of visitors. Vice presidents, directors, department managers, and consultants represented another 62.91%.

Visitors came from pharmaceutical manufacturing, fine chemicals, pharmaceutical intermediates, ingredient production, distribution, research and development, and other related sectors.

The exhibition’s official digital platform, PharmaSources, also supported business matchmaking activities.

Its buyer sourcing programs connected more than 200 buyers with exhibitors and facilitated over 520 business meetings, setting a new record for the program.

These activities helped participating companies identify potential suppliers, evaluate technologies, and establish new business relationships.

Innovation, Regulatory Compliance, and Sustainable Manufacturing

In addition to product exhibitions and commercial negotiations, CPHI & PMEC China 2026 featured more than 110 conferences and industry activities.

Over 800 speakers participated, attracting more than 15,000 conference attendances.

The conference program addressed several important developments shaping the pharmaceutical industry:

• Pharmaceutical innovation: Advances in drug discovery, biologics, peptide therapeutics, and emerging treatment technologies.
• Artificial intelligence: Applications of AI in pharmaceutical research, clinical trials, drug design, and manufacturing.
• International regulatory compliance: Regulatory updates, export compliance, and strategies for entering global pharmaceutical markets.
• Manufacturing modernization: Intelligent production systems, pharmaceutical engineering, process validation, and digital transformation.
• Sustainable development: Green manufacturing, energy efficiency, environmental protection, and carbon reduction.
• Supply chain collaboration: International sourcing, business development, and partnerships across pharmaceutical manufacturing sectors.

These discussions reflected the industry’s increasing focus on technological innovation, product quality, operational efficiency, and international cooperation.

Digital Transformation Strengthens Pharmaceutical Supply Chains

Digital technologies played an important role in the exhibition’s commercial activities.

PharmaSources introduced intelligent procurement matchmaking services that allowed buyers to submit sourcing requirements and connect with relevant suppliers.

The combination of online platforms and face-to-face business meetings offered new opportunities to improve procurement efficiency and international communication.

Meanwhile, conference discussions explored AI-assisted drug development, digital pharmaceutical manufacturing, intelligent laboratories, and automated production systems.

Together, these developments illustrate how digital transformation is becoming increasingly important throughout the pharmaceutical value chain.

CPHI & PMEC China 2027 to Move to a New Venue

Looking ahead, CPHI & PMEC China 2027 is scheduled to take place from June 16 to 18, 2027, at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC) in Shanghai’s Hongqiao area.

The next edition will also mark the 25th anniversary of CPHI China.

According to the organizers, the 2027 exhibition is targeting:

• More than 300,000 m² of exhibition space
• Over 3,900 domestic and international exhibitors
• More than 150,000 visitor visits
• Over 100 onsite conferences and activities

The relocation is intended to accommodate the exhibition’s continued expansion and create additional opportunities for international pharmaceutical trade and industry collaboration.

Outlook: Stronger Global Connections Across the Pharmaceutical Industry

The results of CPHI & PMEC China 2026 demonstrate the scale and international reach of China’s pharmaceutical industry.

Record international attendance, extensive supplier participation, and active business matchmaking activities highlight growing opportunities for cross-border cooperation.

For pharmaceutical manufacturers, chemical suppliers, and technology providers, developments in raw material sourcing, regulatory compliance, digitalization, and sustainable manufacturing will remain important areas of focus.

As global pharmaceutical supply chains continue to evolve, international industry events such as CPHI & PMEC China are expected to play an important role in connecting suppliers, manufacturers, researchers, and commercial partners.

Source: CPHI & PMEC China 2026 Official Post-Show Report, published June 30, 2026.

Official Websites: www.cphi-china.cn | www.pmecchina.com