By C. Perera, JadeTimes News
Imexpharm Pharmaceutical JSC is significantly investing in advanced pharmaceutical production technology to meet international standards. Beginning as a small factory in Dong Thap province, the company’s leadership made a strategic move to send skilled staff to train in Europe. This initiative helped Imexpharm become a leader in technological innovation, enabling the company to rise to the forefront of Vietnam’s pharmaceutical sector.
A key milestone was achieved in 1997 when Imexpharm invested in a GMP ASEAN non beta lactam oral medication factory, guided by Dr. Hartmut Haulth, a European expert in quality management from Austria's Biochemie Group now Sandoz. This investment solidified Imexpharm’s reputation, with the World Health Organization selecting the company as a model factory. Continuing its progress, between 1999-2000, Imexpharm constructed a GMP ASEAN beta lactam oral medication factory and initiated franchise production with the multinational Biochemie Group.
In 2014, Imexpharm further advanced its capabilities by investing in an EU GMP factory, achieving certification in late 2016. This certification positioned Imexpharm ahead of much of the competition, with only 10% of Vietnam’s pharmaceutical companies meeting EU GMP or Japan GMP standards. Imexpharm’s commitment to quality has led to the establishment of Vietnam's largest EU GMP factory clusters, with three clusters and 11 production lines meeting EU-GMP standards.
Imexpharm’s early focus on advanced production technologies and rigorous quality assurance has propelled it to the top of Vietnam’s antibiotics market. The company specializes in producing antibiotics using Enzymatic fermentation technology, which eliminates the use of solvents and chemicals. Raw materials are sourced from Europe, the U.S., and Japan and are meticulously monitored to control harmful impurities like nitrosamines, residual solvents, and heavy metals.
Currently, Imexpharm holds over 333 licensed products in Vietnam and has recently secured 11 new registration numbers for six products in Europe. As of 2023, the company has 28 European Marketing Authorisations for 11 different product types. People’s Doctor and Imexpharm’s General Director, Tran Thi Dao, emphasized that the company’s focus on cutting edge technology, human resource development, and diversification has helped Imexpharm fulfill its commitments to stakeholders. These efforts have firmly established Imexpharm as a prominent player in the domestic and international pharmaceutical industries.
Imexpharm’s focus on technological advancements aligns with Vietnam’s National Strategy for Pharmaceutical Development through 2030, with the goal of making Vietnam a regional pharmaceutical hub by 2045. The Vietnamese pharmaceutical market is projected to reach $16.1 billion by 2026, with significant growth expected in areas such as respiratory, digestive, cardiovascular, and diabetes treatments.
Imexpharm is now expanding its non antibiotic product range and is planning to build a new IMP5 factory in Dong Thap, producing medications for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, coughs, and digestive ailments for both local and international markets. The company's technological advantages position it to compete with foreign manufacturers, while new free trade agreements offer opportunities for market expansion, access to capital, and the development of high quality product lines. These strategies aim to triple revenue growth by 2030, cementing Imexpharm's position in the global market and addressing the rising demand for high quality medical treatments in Vietnam and beyond.
