Marubeni Corporation - Expansion of Pharmaceutical Business Initiatives
April 26, 2023 at 10:12 am EDT
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Fobeni Healthcom Pharmaceutical Jiangsu Co., Ltd. (hereafter, 'Fobeni'), a joint venture company between Marubeni Corporation (hereafter, 'Marubeni') and Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd., (hereafter 'Fosun Pharma'), has been entrusted by Meiji Seika Pharma Ltd. (hereafter, 'Meiji Seika') to conduct a clinical trial in China for a new drug (-lactamase inhibitor; international product name: 'nacubactam') developed by Meiji Seika (hereafter, 'the Project').
The clinical trial taking place in China is part of a global clinical trial1 for nacubactam.
Various infectious diseases with their origin in increases of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria2 are now becoming an ongoing global issue. This may be partly attributable to the decomposition and neutralization of antimicrobial agents administered to patients through the action of the lactamases3. Nacubactam is expected to make antimicrobial agents effective by inhibiting the action of lactamase.
Fobeni and Fosun Pharma-a company with extensive expertise and a proven track record in the development, manufacture, and sales of pharmaceuticals in China-will engage in clinical trials of lactamase inhibitors, for which demand has been growing in China in recent years. Together they will actively promote the Project to deliver nacubactam to persons suffering from infectious diseases as a result of antimicrobial resistant bacteria as soon as possible.
arubeni has been expanding its pharmaceutical sales initiatives and distribution business in China and the Middle East with this Project representing the first time that it is set to participate in a clinical trial. Marubeni regards the pharmaceutical business as a next generation business with considerable potential for future growth, and will continue to increase its initiatives scope in similar areas. Marubeni has been endeavoring to contribute to the development of the pharmaceutical market through its business activities throughout the world by increasing the availability of treatment options for patients suffering from various diseases.
Marubeni Corporation is a diversified group organized primarily around 12 business segments:
- sale of agricultural products and related services (47% of net sales): sale of agricultural inputs (crop protection products, fertilizers, seeds, etc.), precision farming services, formulation of crop protection products, export of cereals and oilseeds, etc.;
- sale of food products (17.6%);
- production and distribution of oil, gas, alternative energy and electricity (10.4%);
- production of chemicals and petrochemicals (6.4%);
- production of metals and mineral resources (4.9%);
- sale and financing of industrial and construction machinery and equipment (4.6%). The group also develops car sales and tire distribution activities;
- sales of consumer electronics (4.3%). In addition, the group develops real estate development and management activities;
- sale of forest products (2.3%): wood chips and biomass fuel, pulp and waste paper, paper, paperboard, hygiene products, building & construction materials and wood products;
- sale of apparel, accessories, textile and lifestyle products (1.1%);
- management and operation of aircraft and ships (1%);
- development of energy production units and industrial installations (0.3%);
- finance and leasing (0.1%): auto finance, aircraft leasing, aircraft engine leasing, leasing and renting of refrigerated trailers, commercial vehicles and commercial freight railcars, etc.
Net sales are distributed geographically as follows: Japan (37.2%), the United States (42.5%)