Imexpharm is pioneering the development of high-tech, high-value-added pharmaceuticals, establishing a solid foundation for sustainable growth both domestically and internationally.

Long-term compound growth

Vietnam faces a mounting burden from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which now account for over two-thirds of the nation’s total healthcare load. As of early 2025, government data shows more than 12.5 million people suffer from hypertension, 2.5 million from diabetes, and over 2 million from chronic respiratory conditions such as COPD and asthma. Each year, an estimated 125,000 new cancer cases are reported. 

This sharp rise in NCDs has made advanced medical solutions more urgent than ever, pushing pharmaceutical firms to evolve quickly. In April 2025, Vietnam’s Ministry of Health announced the development of a Disease Prevention Law project - the first legislative initiative of its kind aimed at improving long-term healthcare outcomes, including air pollution mitigation, mental health care, school-based health measures, and chronic disease control.

The domestic pharmaceutical sector is also undergoing a shift to meet these challenges, with a focus on treating cancer, cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases. To align with both national needs and its own growth strategy, Imexpharm is investing heavily in strategic high-tech segments such as biopharmaceuticals, biosimilars, high-tech herbal drugs, and first generics. 

SSI Securities notes that Vietnamese pharmaceutical firms must grow their share in Group 1 and Group 2 drugs to reduce reliance on imports. Demand is surging thanks to an aging population and higher income levels. Companies prioritizing R&D - like Imexpharm - are poised to outperform as the industry transforms.

Adding momentum is Resolution 68-NQ/TW, which promotes private sector growth through science and digital transformation. This policy allows businesses to double (200%) their actual R&D spending as deductible expenses on corporate tax filings. Imexpharm has already increasesincreased its R&D investmentspending by an average of 6% annuallyper year, managing over 100 active R&D projects.

A growth turning point for high-tech pharmaceuticals

Among Vietnam’s publicly listed pharmaceutical firms, Imexpharm Pharmaceutical JSC stands out as a leader in high-standard production capacity, with 12 EU-GMP certified lines and 3 factories accredited to EU-GMP standards. It remains the only domestic company operating an EU-GMP-certified Betalactam plant for both injectable and oral antibiotics.

Building on this stronghold, Imexpharm is now pivoting toward high-tech, value-added medicines, particularly in the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and diabetes sectors. These segments collectively represent a VND 50 trillion (USD 2 billion) market, growing at a compound annual rate of over 8%. Notably, diabetes treatments alone are growing at 13% annually.

Imexpharm’s strategic pivot mirrors broader global trends. The global pharmaceutical industry is expected to expand at a CAGR of 7.8% through 2026, while Vietnam’s domestic market is forecasted to grow even faster - between 10–13%. Thanks to its cost advantages, raw material access, and strong domestic demand, Vietnam is positioning itself as a rising pharmaceutical hub in Asia.

A key milestone in Imexpharm’s 2025 roadmap is the groundbreaking of its new EU-GMP-standard Cat Khanh Pharmaceutical Factory Complex. With a projected capacity of up to 1.4 billion product units annually (scaled by production phase), the facility will specialize in high-value drugs for both domestic and export markets.

Backed by a high-quality product portfolio, a nationwide distribution network, and a modern management platform, Imexpharm’s leadership has set aggressive targets for 2025: revenue of VND 2,981 billion and pre-tax profit of VND 493.5 billion - up 18.6% and 22.1%, respectively. Between 2024 and 2030, the company aims for an average gross revenue growth rate of 15% per year.

People’s Doctor and Pharmacist Tran Thi Dao, General Director of Imexpharm, stated: “From the outset, Imexpharm has prioritized investment in technology and quality. That commitment has enabled the company to maintain its leadership in EU-GMP-standard pharmaceutical production for many consecutive years. In 2025, Imexpharm will focus on three strategic pillars: enhancing operational efficiency, expanding into new therapeutic areas and accelerating growth by broadening our product and market ecosystem.”

PV