Marubeni & Shanghai Fosun to Collaborate on a Pharmaceuticals & Related Products

Marubeni Corporation (“Marubeni”) has concluded an agreement with Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Development Co., Ltd., wholly owned by Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd., (“Fosun Pharma”), for a joint study on the development of a pharmaceuticals and related products distribution business between Japan and China.

In China, as the number of patients with chronic diseases is increasing as a result of rising consumption levels and lifestyle changes, there is an increasing demand for pharmaceutical products. The expectations of foreign pharmaceutical companies, including Japanese companies, for the Chinese market is also increasing as China has recently been developing a medical insurance system.

Marubeni and Fosun Pharma agreed to study the establishment of a JV, aiming to sell mainly Japanese pharmaceutical products in China, in order to meet an anticipated increase in demand for high-quality products. The JV will also supply high-quality pharmaceutical raw materials and biosimilars (original product copies) manufactured in China to the Japanese market.

Fosun Pharma is broadly engaged in the medical and healthcare industry, including pharmaceutical R&D and manufacturing, medical services, medical/diagnostic devices manufacturing and agentary sales, as well as pharmaceutical distribution and retail.

Marubeni and Fosun Pharma are committed to developing the Chinese market through their extensive experience while also contributing to Japanese pharmaceutical companies in expanding their business in China.