A strategic focus on technological advancement

Imexpharm Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company (IMP) has strategically positioned itself at the forefront of the invented drug industry by heavily investing in high-quality pharmaceutical production technologies that meet international standards. This direction has propelled the company into a new high-growth cycle, marking its continued rise in the pharmaceutical sector.

From its humble beginnings as a small pharmaceutical factory in Dong Thap Province, Imexpharm's leadership made a crucial decision that would shape its future: sending talented staff to Europe for knowledge exchange and experience.

These early efforts in gaining international expertise laid the foundation for Imexpharm to pioneer technological advancements in Vietnam’s pharmaceutical industry, allowing it to rise to a leadership position in the domestic market.

The first significant milestone was achieved in 1997 when Imexpharm transformed its operations by investing in a GMP-ASEAN Non-betalactam oral medication factory. This transformation was guided by Dr. Hartmut Haulth, a leading European expert on quality management systems and technology from the Biochemie Group of Austria (now Sandoz).

This investment not only solidified Imexpharm’s brand but also enabled the company to participate successfully in international bids. The World Health Organization (WHO) even selected Imexpharm as a model factory for an introductory film.

Between 1999 and 2000, Imexpharm continued its technological advancements by constructing a GMP-ASEAN Betalactam oral medication factory and initiating franchise production in partnership with the multinational Biochemie Group.

By 2014, Imexpharm had set its sights on EU-GMP certification, which it obtained in the fourth quarter of 2016. This certification gave Imexpharm a competitive edge, as only about 10% of domestic pharmaceutical enterprises currently meet EU-GMP standards or their Japan-GMP equivalents. This milestone positioned Imexpharm to compete effectively in both domestic and international markets.

Through sustained investments in production lines and a commitment to high-quality drug manufacturing, Imexpharm now owns the largest cluster of EU-GMP-certified factories in Vietnam, with three EU-GMP factory clusters and eleven EU-GMP production lines.

Commitment to quality and innovation

Imexpharm's early investment in production technology and stringent drug quality assurance has elevated the company to the top of Vietnam’s antibiotics market.

The company’s strategy focuses on researching and producing antibiotics using purified raw materials and Enzymatic fermentation technology, which avoids the use of solvents and chemicals.

Instead, Imexpharm uses raw materials that meet BP, EP, and USP standards, sourced from Europe, the USA, and Japan. These materials undergo rigorous monitoring to control hazardous impurities such as Nitrosamine, residual solvents, and heavy metals.

Currently, Imexpharm holds over 333 licensed products for commercial use in Vietnam. In 2023, the company secured 11 additional registration numbers for six products in Europe, including complex products like Ampicillin/Sulbactam, bringing its total European Marketing Authorizations to 28 for 11 product types.

Reflecting on these achievements, People's Doctor and Pharmacist Tran Thi Dao, General Director of Imexpharm, said: "Over the past 47 years, Imexpharm has seized every opportunity to invest in advanced technology and infrastructure. By pioneering the construction of internationally standardized factories, focusing on training and developing human resources, and rapidly diversifying our product portfolio, Imexpharm has fulfilled its commitments to investors, partners, employees, customers, and the community. This sustainable development strategy has firmly placed IMP’s green lotus symbol on the pharmaceutical industry map, both domestically and abroad."

In-depth R&D to sustain market leadership

Imexpharm’s investment in high technology and innovative pharmaceuticals aligns with the National Strategy for the Development of the Vietnamese Pharmaceutical Industry through 2030. With a vision to 2045, this strategy aims to position Vietnam as a regional pharmaceutical production center.

Imexpharm is preparing to expand its non-antibiotic product portfolio by constructing a new IMP5 factory in Quang Khanh Industrial Park, Dong Thap. This new facility will produce drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, otorhinolaryngology conditions, cough, and digestive disorders. These products are intended not only for the domestic market but also for export opportunities.

Technological advantages enable Imexpharm to produce high-quality pharmaceuticals that can compete with similar products from foreign companies. Especially in the context of new-generation free trade agreements (FTAs) that Vietnam has signed, pharmaceutical enterprises like Imexpharm have opportunities to expand export markets, develop distribution networks, and access more capital, technology, and high-quality human resources for product lines that meet higher standards, such as EU-GMP and Japan-GMP.

“These strategies lay a solid foundation for the company’s vision to 2030, aiming to triple revenue growth. This is an important step in consolidating Imexpharm’s position in the global market while simultaneously meeting the increasing demand for high-quality treatment solutions in Vietnam and the region,” said a Imexpharm's representative.

PV