Discovering Biotechnology: Top 9 Chinese Pharmaceutical Companies in 2020

China is one of the pharmaceutical manufacturing hubs globally. Its pharmaceutical industry garnered a total revenue of about 2.6 trillion yuan in 2019 amounting to an eight percent year-on-year growth. Between 2013 to 2019, there were 244 new types of class I drug ingredients that were applied in the National Medical Products Administration of China from domestic pharmaceutical companies. These new drug ingredients included 144 from chemical medicines and 100 from biological medicines. There was a significant increase in 2016 due to changes in policies announced by the National Medical Products Administration of China to boost the regulatory process of new drugs.

With is fast expanding ageing population, China has enhanced its pharmaceutical industry rapidly to meet growing demands. Even with the recent COVID-19 pandemic that started in late 2019, when China was one of the early epicentres, its pharmaceutical industry has continued to thrive. The quality and quantity of health care equipment and medical supplies products have improved a lot, which brought vitality to medical supplies companies in China. Instrumentation in pharmaceutical industry in China is also booming. In this article is a consolidated list of the nine largest Chinese pharmaceutical companies listed by market value, based on the Forbes Global 2000 annual ranking as of May 2020.

Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine

Market Value: US$ 58 billion

The pharmaceutical and health enterprise was founded in 1970. It was listed in the Shanghai Stock Exchange in the year 2000. Jiangsu Hengrui is one of the largest publicly listed biopharma companies based in China. It has more than 21,000 employees and 3,200 scientists working together in research and development across more than 30 programs in oncology, anaesthesiology and pain management, autoimmune disease, metabolic disease and cardiovascular disease.

Most recently in July 2020, Hengrui Therapeutics, Inc. (HTI) a U.S. subsidiary of Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine signed an agreement with Thermo Fisher Scientific in developing a companion diagnostic making use of the Oncomine Precision Assay for treatment decision-making. The assay will identify non-small cell lung cancer patients who could be eligible for pyrotinib an irreversible pan-HER2 tyrosine Kinase inhibitor newly developed by Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine.

Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group

Market Value: US$ 23 billion

Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group was founded in 1995 as a R&D-driven pharmaceutical company in China. Its more than 20 years of research and development has brought innovation to a number of therapeutic areas, namely, oncology, neurology, anti-infectives, diabetes, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular. With two research and development centres in Lianyungang and Shanghai, together with more than 1,200 employees, it has made significant contribution to unmet clinical needs in China.

In May 2019, Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group received National Drug Administration (NDA) approval from the National Medical Products Administration of China for its Polyethlyene Glycol Loxenatide injection for treatment of Type 2 Diabetes.

Yunnan Baiyao Group

Market Value: US$ 16.4 billion

Listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, Yunnan Baiyao Group Co. Ltd was formerly known as the Yunnan Baiyao Factory founded in June 1971. It was not until October 1996, when the company was renamed to be Yunnan Baiyao Group Co., Ltd. The company is involved in the development, production and marketing of chemical raw materials, chemical preparations, Chinese patent medicines, Chinese traditional medicines, biological products, health food, cosmetics, beverages, and medical devices, such as Class II and medical dressings.

Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical

Market Value: US$ 9.8 billion

Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical, also known as Fosun Pharma, was founded in 1994 and is listed in the Hong Kong, S.A.R., China Stock Exchange. It provides end-to-end services in the heathcare industry, from research and development to retail. Fosun Pharma covers healthcare services, medical devices, and medical diagnosis as well as pharmaceutical manufacturing, and distribution and retail.

In 2020, Fosun Pharma has seen much of its focus on developing a vaccine and diagnostic tools to address the COVID-19 pandemic. With its SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCT detection kit being included in the World Health Organization’s Emergency Use listing in September 2020 and the announcement of the start of clinical trials for its mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine candidate in China, in collaboration with BioNTech SE in August 2020.

Sinopharm Group

Market Value: US$ 8.4 billion

Sinopharm Group is a core subsidiary of China National Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. It was founded in January 2003 and has been listed on the Hong Kong, S.A.R., China Stock Exchange since September 2009. Sinopharm group is involved in wholesale and retailing of pharmaceutical and healthcare products. It is also a supply-chain service provider for medical devices in China.

In September 2020, Sinopharm laid out a strategic agreement together with Tencent WeSure, and Shanghai MedTree Health Technology Co. Ltd for the development and innovation of a number of projects. These include commercial insurance projects, pharmacy benefit projects, and patient service projects. The three parties will be working together to promote inclusive commercial insurance to cities across the country by establishing a complete health service chain of drug purchase, drug distribution, drug discount, insurance business favourable to the general public and patient health management services in order to create a new health ecosphere for people and promote business development in the field of health.

Shanghai Pharmaceuticals

Market Value: US$ 5 billion

Founded in January 1994, the Shanghai-headquartered pharmaceutical company is involved in the research and development, manufacturing, distribution, and retail of pharmaceutical products. Shanghai Pharmaceuticals develops and sells chemical products, Chinese traditional medicines, and healthcare products, marketing its products throughout China.

In August 2020, it announced its clinical collaboration and license agreement to commercialize a novel immunotherapy to treat solid malignant tumours. The collaboration was with ImmVira, a biotechnology company focused on the development of oncolytic viruses as potential cancer therapeutics.

Jointown Pharmaceutical Group

Market Value: US$ 4.8 billion

The retail pharmaceuticals company, Jointown Pharmaceutical group was founded in 1999. Jointown Pharmaceutical group houses its headquarters in Wuhan, China and has more than 20 subsidiaries under it.

The company mainly is involved in the logistics and distribution of pharmaceutical formulations, Chinese traditional medicine, herbs, and APIs. Some of which include antibiotics, respiratory and cardiovascular drugs, vitamin tablets, healthcare drugs and other related pharmaceutical products. Jointown Pharmaceutical Group also markets medical instruments.

Guangzhou Baiyunshan Pharmaceutical Holdings

Market Value: US$ 4.3 billion

Guangzhou Baiyunshan Pharmaceutical Holdings is a publicly listed company under the state-owned enterprise, Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Holdings Limited. It is listed in the Hong Kong, S.A.R., China Stock Exchange and the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

The company manufactures and retails Chinese patent medicine. It is also involved in the wholesale, retail, import, and export of both Western and Chinese pharmaceutical products as well as other types of medical equipment.

Most recently in September 2020, Guangzhou Baiyunshan Pharmaceutical Sales Co. Ltd signed a partnership with 111, Inc., a technology company dedicated to digitally connecting patient with drugs and healthcare services in China. The partnership was established to leverage on digital technologies to offer patients innovative digital health and medicine services.

Hubei Biocause Pharmaceutical

Market Value: US$ 3.9 billion

Hubei Biocause Pharmaceutical is involved in a number of industries including, insurance, pharmaceutical, chemical, and new energy industries. It is one of the biggest shareholders of two insurance companies; Life Insurance and Motor Insurance. Besides that, Hubei Biocause Pharmaceutical is involved in pharmaceutical contract research, contract manufacturing, and production of APIs. On top of that, its pharmaceutical division also produces intermediate products and other formulations that include tablets, granules, and capsules, just name a few. Hubei Biocause also exports pharmaceutical in China. 

References:

https://www.statista.com/topics/5001/pharmaceutical-industry-in-china/#dossierSummary__chapter2

https://www.statista.com/statistics/875692/china-largest-pharmaceutical-companies-by-market-value/

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1175415/china-innovative-drug-ingredient-application-number-of-domestic-pharmaceutical-companies/

https://www.statista.com/statistics/308016/china-key-figures-on-the-pharmaceutical-industry/

https://www.fosunpharma.com/en/about/GroupOverview.html

https://www.fosunpharma.com/en/news/news-details-3810.html

http://ir.sinopharmgroup.com.cn/html/news_detail.php?id=529304

http://www.biocause.com/new/english/index.php/index-show-tid-2.html

https://yunnanbaiyao.co/company-profile/

https://www.hengruitx.com/tf-cdx-pyrotinib-nsclc.html

http://www.hspharm.com/news/512625.htm

http://www.jointownpharma.com/Introduction

http://en.gpc.com.cn/aboutUs.html

About the Author:

Deborah Seah is a contributing writer for a column on PharmaSources.com, Discovering Biotechnology. The column explores innovative technologies in the world of biotech and evaluates its impact on our future. She is also an editor for a monthly science and technology magazine, Asia-Pacific Biotech News.
Prior to her career in writing she worked as a research associate at a plant genetics laboratory of a multinational agriculture company. Following that she also had experience in a medical diagnostics start-up as a medical technologist. "