Danang-based Danapha looks to enhance Vietnam pharmaceutical industry’s position: CEO

Danapha Pharmaceutical JSC (Danapha) has been focusing on high-tech, quality products to export around the world, thus enhancing the position of Vietnam’s pharmaceutical industry, said CEO Le Thang Binh.

Danapha Pharmaceutical JSC (Danapha) has been focusing on high-tech, quality products to export around the world, thus enhancing the position of Vietnam’s pharmaceutical industry, said CEO Le Thang Binh.

Danapha CEO Le Thang Binh. Photo courtesy of the company.

2023 was a difficult year for businesses in general. What about Danapha?

In 2023, with difficulties stemming from the global economic crisis, Danapha made constant efforts and achieved extremely impressive results. In particular, it posted record high output and sales.

All of Danapha's product groups saw impressive growth, which was a source of pride and an important contribution to the development of the country's economy in general.

Notably, the company’s export turnover in 2023 reached nearly €8 million, with the largest share in the Eastern European market. Danapha's products are currently present in 20 countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Bulgaria and Southeast Asian nations.

What are Danapha’s goals in 2004? 

Our common objective is still to pursue our mission of "dedication to public health with ethical humane values", along with specific goals to realize this mantra.

The company will complete and put into operation a high-tech pharmaceutical factory in Danang Hi-Tech Park (Danang city). This will be the top priority, aiming to bring to domestic and foreign customers high quality products at reasonable prices with treatment effectiveness equivalent to those imported from Europe.

In addition, the company aims to increase research to create products that apply high-tech applications and advanced and modern technology in automated drug production lines, and optimize the production process, thereby improving performance and profit to improve product quality and maintain a leading position in the pharmaceutical industry.

It will also focus on expanding export markets, especially distributing products in potential and developed markets in Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia.

How will Danapha achieve these plans?

Danapha always puts customers at the center. Its leadership and staff know that "safety and quality of products and services" are our core development direction. The company's products have been constantly researched and improved. This is the result of efforts with a long-term vision and strong determination that make Danapha different and give the company an advantage.

It is easy to see rapid changes around the world in recent times. More than ever, technological advances, sustainable development goals and risk response strategies are at the forefront and becoming clear.

To deal with potential difficulties, we have set out specific solutions. We will focus on developing both human resources inside and outside the enterprise; standardize processes to achieve optimal speed in production activities, promote innovation through products and services, and set up and develop new markets with a focus on customer experience and increased collaboration with strategic partners.

The company is developing a pharmaceutical factory and a high-tech research and development center in Danang High-Tech Park. Could you give more details about these projects? 

The pharmaceutical factory and high-tech research and development center, covering over 3 hectares in the park, will be fully invested with multiple high-tech production lines. The Danapha High-tech Research and Development Center is set to meet European standards.

The headquarters of Danapha in Danang city, central Vietnam. Photo courtesy of the company.

The projects have a total investment of nearly VND900 billion ($36.43 million) with two phases. The factory will include production lines for non-betalactam oral solid (OSD) and non-betalactam liquid drugs using modern BFS technology.

After two years of implementation, the first phase of the project is about to be put into operation, focusing mainly on products meeting EU-GMP standards.

Once the project is completed and put into operation, it will contribute to the effective implementation of the government's science and technology development orientation, boosting economic growth and improving residents’ quality of life. At the same time, it aims to export drugs to the region and the world, enhancing the position of Vietnam's pharmaceutical industry.

Meanwhile, the center will research and develop new products that meet standards and testing methods, apply advanced technology with high technology content, and promote cooperation in researching and developing formulas in technology transfer projects with leading partners around the world.

Besides the above projects, does the company plan to invest in other projects?

In addition to the projects in Danang Hi-Tech Park, we are also considering new projects in the pharmaceutical field. In addition, we has started work on the Danapha Tower office-tourist apartment project with multi-purpose use, promising to bring a modern working space combined with a unique travel experience. This is a strategic move, expanding Danapha's business activities and creating an additional source of income.

Danapha is registered on the Unlisted Public Companies Market (UPCoM) as DAN, which closed the Monday session at VND27,000 ($1.09).