Japanese pharmaceutical giant ASKA to up stake in Vietnam drug maker DHT

By Anh Minh
Sat, October 14, 2023 | 3:48 pm GMT+7

Japan’s century-old ASKA Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd plans to increase its stake in Ha Tay Pharmaceutical JSC, traded on the Hanoi Stock Exchange as DHT, to 33%.

For this, it would acquire an addtional 11.36% stake in a private placement.

A retail outlet of Ha Tay Pharmaceutical JSC. Photo courtesy of Dau tu (Investment) newspaper.

A retail outlet of Ha Tay Pharmaceutical JSC. Photo courtesy of Dau tu (Investment) newspaper.

According to a DHT decision, the company will issue 8.4 million new shares at VND21,500 ($0.87) each to ASKA Pharmaceutical for a transaction value of VND181 billion ($7.4 million).

DHT will invest VND78 billion ($3.19 million) of the proceeds in a new high-tech medicine factory and the rest to restructure its bank loans.

After the transaction, ASKA Pharmaceutical will hold 26.8 million DHT shares, or a 33% stake. The acquisition is part of the former’s plan to expand its footprint in Southeast Asia.

The foreign ownership limit in DHT has been set at 50% by Vietnam’s stock market regulator.

In early 2021, ASKA Pharmaceutical completed a deal to buy 6.6 million DHT shares for a 24.9% stake, making it the largest shareholder in the Vietnamese firm. In June 2023, ASKA Pharmaceutical’s holding increased to 18.4 million shares after a bonus dividend.

DHT earned a pre-tax profit of VND73 billion ($3 million) on revenues of VND1.31 trillion ($53.57 million) in the first eight months of this year, the firm said in a statement.

The DHT share closed Friday up 6.13% at VND22,500 ($0.92).

Established in 1920, ASKA Pharmaceutical has set up several joint ventures overseas including one with India’s Omnicare Drugs India Pvt. Ltd for drug production. The Japanese firm holds a 30% stake and the Indian partner the remainder.

The value of Vietnam’s pharmaceutical industry is forecast to reach $8 billion this year, up from $7 billion in 2022 including imports worth $3.2 billion.

Foreign investors have made big investments in several Vietnamese pharmaceutical firms including Hau Giang Pharmaceutical (DHG), Domesco (DMC), Traphaco (TRA), Imexpharm (IMP) and Pymepharco (PME).

Comments (0)
  • Read More
$2.5 bln LNG power plant in northern Vietnam set for groundbreaking in late 2025

$2.5 bln LNG power plant in northern Vietnam set for groundbreaking in late 2025

A $2.56 billion LNG-fueled power plant project in the northern Vietnam province of Thai Binh is slated to break ground later this year, aligning with the timeline set by the local government.

Energy - Sun, June 15, 2025 | 10:06 am GMT+7

Vietnam’s tech unicorn VNG expects 2025 loss to narrow by 47%, plans name change

Vietnam’s tech unicorn VNG expects 2025 loss to narrow by 47%, plans name change

VNG Corporation, Vietnam’s first tech unicorn, projects a net loss of VND620 billion ($2.38 million) in 2025, down 47% from last year.

Companies - Sun, June 15, 2025 | 8:00 am GMT+7

Prime Minister suggests AstraZeneca build pharma factory in Vietnam

Prime Minister suggests AstraZeneca build pharma factory in Vietnam

Vietnam is willing to license AstraZeneca immediately to build vaccine and pharmaceutical factories, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

Industries - Sat, June 14, 2025 | 10:59 pm GMT+7

Sugary drinks subject to excise tax in Vietnam from 2027

Sugary drinks subject to excise tax in Vietnam from 2027

Sugary drinks in Vietnam will be subject to an 8% excise tax starting in early 2027 and 10% from 2028, according to the adjusted Excise Tax Law, passed by the parliament on Saturday.

Economy - Sat, June 14, 2025 | 4:56 pm GMT+7

Ericsson should focus on 6G research, build database for AI in Vietnam: Prime Minister

Ericsson should focus on 6G research, build database for AI in Vietnam: Prime Minister

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has suggested Ericsson's cooperation with Vietnam should focus on piloting innovation initiatives, 6G research, and building a database for AI in the country.

Economy - Sat, June 14, 2025 | 3:59 pm GMT+7

Swedish giants H&M, Syre to scale up operations in Vietnam

Swedish giants H&M, Syre to scale up operations in Vietnam

H&M, a globally renowned fashion brand from Sweden, plans to expand its network of stores in Vietnam to over 20 in the time to come, said CFO Adam Karlsson.

Industries - Sat, June 14, 2025 | 2:16 pm GMT+7

Leading industrial park developer Becamex to gain from Binh Duong province’s merger into HCMC: broker

Leading industrial park developer Becamex to gain from Binh Duong province’s merger into HCMC: broker

Becamex IDC Corp, a leading urban and industrial park developer based in Binh Duong, is expected to benefit from the province’s merger into Ho Chi Minh City, with many new development opportunities, according to Vietcombank Securities (VCBS).

Companies - Sat, June 14, 2025 | 8:00 am GMT+7

Vietnam Airlines secures $1.5 bln funding from ING Bank for strategic expansion

Vietnam Airlines secures $1.5 bln funding from ING Bank for strategic expansion

Vietnam Airlines and ING Bank have signed an MoU for bilateral financial cooperation, securing capital funding of up to $1.5 billion.

Companies - Fri, June 13, 2025 | 10:56 pm GMT+7

Lawmakers scrutinize dual-city international financial center plan

Lawmakers scrutinize dual-city international financial center plan

Discussing a draft resolution on establishing an international financial center in Vietnam, some parliament members have proposed careful consideration of a dual-city model based on regional development strategies and investment efficiency.

Finance - Fri, June 13, 2025 | 10:49 pm GMT+7

Vietnam among world’s most food-self-sufficient nations: study

Vietnam among world’s most food-self-sufficient nations: study

As concerns mount over the potential for disruptions to global trade, a new study published in the journal Nature Food has identified Vietnam as one of the few countries with a high level of food self-sufficiency, capable of withstanding major interruptions to food imports and exports worldwide.

Southeast Asia - Fri, June 13, 2025 | 10:41 pm GMT+7

Bad debts at Vietnamese commercial banks remain a concern

Bad debts at Vietnamese commercial banks remain a concern

While the most challenging period for bad debts in Vietnam appears to have passed, potentially irrecoverable debts have reached a record high, accounting for 1.25% of total outstanding customer loans, or more than VND176 trillion ($6.74 billion), according to a new report by research firm Vietnam Report JSC.

Banking - Fri, June 13, 2025 | 7:58 pm GMT+7

Vietnam's galvanized steel major Ton Dong A to focus on domestic sales amid export market woes

Vietnam's galvanized steel major Ton Dong A to focus on domestic sales amid export market woes

Ton Dong A, a leading galvanized steel manufacturer in Vietnam, will focus more on the domestic market due to export difficulties, raising the ratio of domestic sales to 75%.

Companies - Fri, June 13, 2025 | 4:56 pm GMT+7

Vietnam's leading construction materials maker Viglacera appoints new chairman

Vietnam's leading construction materials maker Viglacera appoints new chairman

The board of directors of Viglacera, Vietnam's leading construction materials maker, has appointed Tran Manh Huu as new chairman, succeeding Nguyen Van Tuan.

Companies - Fri, June 13, 2025 | 3:08 pm GMT+7

Vietnam urges Exxon Mobil to accelerate long-delayed Blue Whale gas field project

Vietnam urges Exxon Mobil to accelerate long-delayed Blue Whale gas field project

Vietnam expects the U.S.'s Exxon Mobil to speed up the long-delayed Blue Whale gas field project in line with the contract.

Energy - Fri, June 13, 2025 | 2:06 pm GMT+7

Prime Minister invites Swedish firms to invest in Vietnam's technology infrastructure, renewable energy

Prime Minister invites Swedish firms to invest in Vietnam's technology infrastructure, renewable energy

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh says he hopes Swedish companies will continue to expand their investment in Vietnam's information technology infrastructure, especially in remote areas.

Economy - Fri, June 13, 2025 | 11:28 am GMT+7

Singapore’s Keppel earns $76 mln from partial sale of property complex in southern Vietnam

Singapore’s Keppel earns $76 mln from partial sale of property complex in southern Vietnam

Singapore-based Keppel Corporation brought in SGD98 million ($76.54 million) from selling a 22.6% stake in a property complex in Vietnam’s southern metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City.

Real Estate - Fri, June 13, 2025 | 8:28 am GMT+7