On August 4, 2025, Marubeni Corporation (hereinafter, “Marubeni”) completed its investment in the Phillips Healthcare Corporation (hereinafter, “Phillips Pharma”), now a Marubeni equity-method affiliate. To date, Marubeni has contributed to a new antimalarial drug development program in Africa and joined the AAIC Fund, which focuses on investing in and supporting the growth of companies in the healthcare sector. With this investment, Marubeni has expanded its pharmaceutical business in Africa and grown the geographical scope of its pharmaceutical strategic platform to Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

In the African pharmaceutical market, regulations and pricing systems vary from country to country, limiting the number of companies capable of handling all the various related processes―from regulatory affairs, importation, promotion, distribution, and pharmacovigilance. This creates many barriers to importing a supply of pharmaceuticals from other countries, including Japan. Since announcing its investment in Phillips Pharma, Marubeni began advancing the import of pharmaceuticals into Africa and contributing to the expansion of products available on the continent by facilitating contracts between Japanese companies and Phillips Pharma. By combining Phillips Pharma’s track record with its own expertise and global network, Marubeni aims to bring high-demand pharmaceuticals to African nations that previously did not have easy access to such medicines.

Under its Mid-Term Management Strategy (GC2027), Marubeni is focusing on Strategic Platform Businesses (businesses with “Growth Domains x High Added Value x Scalability”), with this newly established pharmaceutical sales business positioned as one of its strategic platforms. In 2018, Marubeni first entered the sector by establishing Fobeni Healthcom Pharmaceutical Jiangsu Co., Ltd. in China to operate a distribution business. In 2022, Marubeni then invested in Lunatus Marketing & Consulting FZCO, which operates across eight countries in the Middle East. Furthermore, in conjunction with the succession of Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd.’s pharmaceutical sales business in Asia (announced April 1, 2025), Marubeni Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (hereinafter, “Marubeni Pharmaceuticals”) was established on August 1, 2025. Together with the addition of Marubeni Pharmaceuticals and Phillips Pharma, which provide access to nine countries/regions in Asia and nine countries in Africa, Marubeni is building a pharmaceutical strategic platform spanning a total of 26 countries/regions*.

Marubeni will continue to provide new pharmaceuticals that meet local needs, while utilizing this platform to strengthen cross-regional collaboration and provide pharmaceuticals needed in countries and regions around the world, including Africa. Through these efforts, Marubeni will help to improve access to medicines and close gaps in healthcare infrastructure between regions.

*Countries/Regions
Asia: China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia 
Middle East: United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Bahrain, Lebanon
Africa: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia, Nigeria, Ghana, Namibia, Mauritius

Related News Releases:
April 1, 2025
Establishment of a Pharmaceutical Strategic Platform: Succession of Sumitomo Pharma’s Business in Asia
https://www.marubeni.com/en/news/2025/release/00015.html

January 27, 2025
Marubeni to Participate in a Major Distributor of Healthcare Products in Africa
https://www.marubeni.com/en/news/2025/release/00003.html

December 14, 2023 
Expansion of Pharmaceutical Business Initiatives: Development of a Novel Antimalarial Drug Utilizing the Funding Program of the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT Fund)
https://www.marubeni.com/en/news/2023/release/00120.html

August 22, 2022
Investing in Fund Focused on the Healthcare Sector in Africa
https://www.marubeni.com/en/news/2022/release/00061.html

June 9, 2022
Middle East healthcare industry continues to attract international investors
Marubeni acquires a minority stake in Lunatus, a Middle East healthcare turnkey solutions provider
https://www.marubeni.com/en/news/2022/release/00044.html

December 26, 2017
Marubeni and Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd., Sign a Joint Venture Contract for a Pharmaceuticals and Related Products Distribution Business Between Japan and China
https://www.marubeni.com/en/news/2017/release/00020.html