Success of Bimeda highlights thriving China-Ireland relations

With the ever-strengthening diplomatic and commercial ties between Ireland and China, Bimeda hopes to highlight its success as an Irish-founded veterinary pharmaceutical company.

Over the past decade, Bimeda has developed a strong commercial and innovation presence in China, which has recently been complemented by the opening of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, worth more than 25 million euros ($27.19 million), in Hebei province. The family-owned organization continues to establish itself as an important player in the Chinese veterinary pharmaceutical industry.

About Bimeda

Founded in Ireland in 1960, Bimeda has grown to become a global player in the animal health market and today boasts a product range that can be found in more than 80 countries worldwide, over 1,000 employees globally, 10 manufacturing facilities across seven countries, and eight research and development laboratories. Through organic growth and acquisitions over the course of six decades, Bimeda has cemented its role as a global leader in animal health.

Bimeda and China

Bimeda first entered the Chinese market in 2011 via a joint venture partnership with Rainbow Laboratories Ltd, establishing a raw material testing and innovation center in Shijiazhuang, capital of Hebei province.

Bimeda quickly realised the potential for its veterinary products within the Chinese market and began laying the groundwork for rapid expansion. Rising meat and dairy consumption, increasing companion animal ownership and a desire for high-quality veterinary products, made China an ideal market for Bimeda to enter.

The company has since established a dedicated head office in Beijing along with an in-house regulatory team. The China Commercial team now has more than 10 staff members with a commercial sales office in Shanghai, along with a regional head office in Hong Kong. Bimeda China sells pharmaceuticals from its European and North American manufacturing sites along with a range of locally manufactured products exclusively for the Chinese market.

In November 2023, Bimeda marked the official opening of their state-of-the-art sterile injectable manufacturing facility in Shijiazhuang.

The more than 25-million-euro facility was built to the China Human Drug Good Manufacturing Practice standard, according to the company.

An initial team of more than 100 is employed at the plant, which currently manufactures sterile injections and parasite-control products, ranging from 10 milliliter to 500 ml vial sizes.

Following on from successful GMP audits by relevant authorities, the facility is approved to supply products to China, Africa, Australia and New Zealand, with further regulatory approvals for additional markets in progress.

The opening ceremony was attended by Ireland's ambassador to China, Ann Derwin, representatives of the local government and Bimeda's senior leadership team.

Ambassador Derwin complimented Bimeda, noting that "foreign direct investment between Ireland and China assists both countries". "This facility once again demonstrates the willingness of Irish companies to invest in China. Through positive experiences gained here, I am certain that Bimeda can lead the way for similar investment from other Irish companies in the future. I consider them excellent ambassadors for Ireland and the agri-tech sector here in China," she said.

For more information on Bimeda's presence in China, please visit www.bimeda.cn/en/