Research and development (R&D) is the formula that creates the strength of Vietnam's leading antibiotic brand.

Firmly holding leading position in antibiotics market

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), antimicrobial  resistance is posing many challenges to humanity.

It is estimated that by 2050, about 10 million people will have died from antimicrobial resistance annually.

In order to mitigate these risks, Imexpharm Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company has made substantial investments over the years in a high-quality antibiotic production line utilizing enzymatic technology.

This innovative approach does not use solvents and chemicals during the production process, giving Imexpharm's antibiotics advantages in terms of purity, stability, high safety for patients, and environmental friendliness.

Imexpharm offers a range of high-quality antibiotics, recognized for breakthroughs in purified raw material sourcing and production technology.

This brings outstanding effectiveness in treatment, as seen in products like Claminat (effective in treating ear-nose-throat and respiratory infections caused by sensitive bacteria), Bactamox (effective for patients with acute community-acquired respiratory infections), and Biocemet DT (effective for children and adults who have difficulty using drugs with upper respiratory infections), among others, the company said.

In 2023, this enterprise led the antibiotic market with a nine-percent market share, logging sales of about VND2,113 billion (US$86 million), an increase of 26 percent compared to 2022.

Popular antibiotic groups such as cephalosporin and penicillin, which account for more than 70 percent of the value in the Vietnamese market, are also the company's main products.

Following a period of investment with EU-GMP standards, the firm has begun planning to expand its antibiotic exports to the European market.

“Since 1977, Imexpharm has prioritized quality, research, and development in its investment strategy. We have continuously invested in factories and production lines, growing into a leading pharmaceutical company with the largest EU-GMP factory clusters in Vietnam, comprising three EU-GMP factories and 11 EU-GMP lines,” said People's Doctor and Pharmacist Tran Thi Dao, who is the general director of Imexpharm.

The company's leaders reflect on its transformation from Dong Thap Pharmaceutical Union Enterprise in the early 1980s to Dong Thap Pharmaceutical Company.

In 1997, the company invested in the non-beta-lactam oral medication factory as the first meeting the GMP-ASEAN benchmark in Vietnam with the consulting support of Dr. Hartmut Haulth, a leading European expert on quality management and technology systems from Sandoz Group in Switzerland.

In 1999, the firm established a GMP-ASEAN beta-lactam factory for oral medication.

By 2000, the company had successfully promoted franchise production cooperation with the Austrian Biochemie Multinational Group, currently Novartis-Sandoz.

Since 2001, following its transition to a public company, Imexpharm has achieved remarkable development with a pioneering strategy in technological advancement.

In 2023, the company allocated five percent of its revenue to R&D activities, resulting in 93 research and development projects, with 15 products already launched on the market.

By July 2024, the company had registered an additional 11 EU marketing authorizations (MAs), bringing the total number to 28 EU MAs for 11 products.

Promoting pharmaceutical inventions, entering global supply chain

The current investment trend in the pharmaceutical sector has shifted toward a focus on innovation, clinical trials, and technology transfer.

Imexpharm is at the forefront of this trend, cooperating with Genuone Sciences, a prominent pharmaceutical company from South Korea to transfer technology for the production of diabetes and cardiovascular drugs.

In addition to its parentship with Genuone, Imexpharm has established franchise production agreements with several leading multinational pharmaceutical corporations such as Sandoz, Robinson Pharma, DP Pharma, Galien, Pharmascience Canada, Sanofi – Aventis, and more.

With this vision, Imexpharm is planning to expand its non-antibiotic product lines and construct a new IMP5 factory in Quang Khanh Industrial Park, Dong Thap Province, southern Vietnam.

In addition to traditional dosage forms, Imexpharm is capable of developing new dosage forms such as lyophilized, dispersible tablets and multi-dose powders.

By adopting advanced technologies in pharmaceutical production, the company ensures its products are rigorously monitored for hard-to-control hazardous impurities like nitrosamines (carcinogens), residual solvents, and heavy metals.

These strategies provide a strong foundation for Imexpharm's 2030 vision, which aims to triple revenue growth and solidify the company's position in the global, regional, and Vietnamese markets.

Currently, 80 percent of Imexpharm's staff hold a university degree or higher, including four masters of pharmacy, one specialist pharmacist I, and one PhD in pharmacy who graduated in France.

In addition to research and formulation equipment, Imexpharm has invested in a dedicated lab outfitted with advanced technology for research and product testing, ensuring quality from the initial design stage.

Moving forward, the company will continue to invest in and apply WHO Good Practices for Research and Development Facilities to enhance its product research and development efforts.

According to Imexpharm's leaders, Vietnam needs supportive policies for innovation in the healthcare sector, specifically in pharmaceuticals.

"We believe that Vietnam can completely aim to improve healthcare and become a center of science and innovation in the region," said the firm's leaders.