NC Group
NC Group (Grupo NC / Grupo EMS) is a Brazilian family-controlled pharmaceutical conglomerate whose anchor unit EMS is the largest drugmaker in Brazil and third largest in Latin America, manufacturing generics, branded, OTC, and hospital medications distributed to 62,000+ pharmacies domestically and exported to 55 countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1964
- HeadquartersSão Paulo, Brazil
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What NC Group does
NC Group (Grupo NC / Grupo EMS) is a privately held Brazilian family-controlled conglomerate founded in 1964 (holding company formed in 2014) and headquartered in São Paulo. Its anchor business is EMS, the largest pharmaceutical laboratory in Brazil and the third largest in Latin America, with 8.6% national market share and R$ 9.25 billion (approximately USD 1.8 billion) in 2022 billing. The group manufactures and commercializes prescription drugs, generics, branded medications, OTC products, and hospital pharmaceuticals across 2,600+ product presentations, supported by automated manufacturing facilities (notably the Novamed solid-dose plant in the Manaus Free Trade Zone at 1.5 billion tablets/month) and 6% of revenue reinvested into R&D.
The operating model combines a traditional pharma field sales force—Brace Pharma executes nearly 1 million annual medical visits and distributes more than 10 million samples, while Legrand Pharma reaches 90% of Brazilian pharmacies and 62,000+ points of sale—with digital patient engagement through the Sara platform (QR-code medication information, WhatsApp reminders). Revenue is generated primarily through one-time product sales across five core pharmaceutical subsidiaries (EMS, Brace Pharma, Legrand, Germed, Novamed) plus specialized units (Ofta, Multilab, Nova Química, Underskin, Galenika in Serbia) and a biologics joint venture (Bionovis). The group has diversified beyond pharma into renewable energy via ADS Energias Renováveis (108 MW wind complex), real estate via 3Z Realty, and private equity via NC Invest, with a Scientific Committee at Brace Pharma anchored by Nobel laureate Eric Kandel.
NC Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- NC Group
- Legal name
- Grupo EMS
- Website
- https://gruponc.net.br
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1964
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- NC Group (Grupo NC / Grupo EMS) is a Brazilian family-controlled pharmaceutical conglomerate whose anchor unit EMS is the largest drugmaker in Brazil and third largest in Latin America, manufacturing generics, branded, OTC, and hospital medications distributed to 62,000+ pharmacies domestically and exported to 55 countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
NC Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Management of Companies and Enterprises (55111), Offices of Other Holding Companies (551112)
- SIC
- Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) (FSANAAAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Corporate Innovation & Technology Scouting Units (with investment mandate) (FSANAHAI), Corporate Deep Tech / R&D Commercialization CVC (FSANAHAL), Joint Venture CVC / Consortium Funds (Multi-corporate) (FSANAHAE)
Keywords
Where NC Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- São Paulo
- HQ country
- Brazil
- HQ region
- Latin America
Offices12 records
Markets served
NC Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Pharmaceutical Product Sales: Core revenue stream from manufacturing and selling prescription drugs, generic medications, branded medications, OTC products, and hospital pharmaceuticals across Brazil and internationally
- International Pharmaceutical Exports: Export operations to more than 40 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Middle East
- Renewable Energy: Revenue from wind energy assets acquired in 2016, including 108 MW capacity wind complex in Rio Grande, RS
- Private Equity Investments: Investment returns from NC Invest private equity arm investing in non-pharmaceutical sectors including real estate and renewable energy
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
NC Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
NC Group (Grupo NC / Grupo EMS) is a Brazilian privately held conglomerate that manufactures and commercializes pharmaceutical products—including prescription drugs, generic medications, branded medicines, OTC products, and hospital pharmaceuticals—through its anchor company EMS, the largest pharmaceutical laboratory in Brazil. The group also operates digital health platforms (Sara), biotechnology joint ventures (Bionovis), radical innovation activities in the US (Brace Pharma), and non-pharmaceutical businesses in renewable energy, real estate, and private equity.
Product overview
NC Group (Grupo NC / Grupo EMS) is a Brazilian conglomerate primarily focused on pharmaceuticals, led by its anchor company EMS, the largest pharmaceutical laboratory in Brazil and 3rd largest in Latin America, ranking #1 in the Brazilian pharmaceutical market for 11 consecutive years. The group operates under four pillars: EMS Farma (pharmaceutical companies including EMS, Brace Pharma, Legrand Pharma, Germed Pharma, Novamed, Ofta, Multilab, and Underskin), EMS Par (joint ventures such as Bionovis for biologics), 3Z Realty (real estate), and EMS Invest (private equity). The group also operates in renewable energy through ADS Energias Renováveis, and holds international assets including Galenika in Serbia and RBBL/MonteResearch for R&D. NC Group's digital ecosystem includes the Sara platform (digital medication information via QR Code, created by the NC Tech innovation hub), patient portals, and careers/HR platforms across its subsidiary brands. The group employs over 7,000 people, exports to more than 40 countries, and invests 6% of annual revenue in R&D.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Sara: Digital platform for electronic medication leaflets, medication reminders, and health content - created by NC Tech innovation hub
- Brace Pharma
- Bionovis
Products and services
- EMS Pharmaceuticals Flagship pharmaceutical brand of NC Group and the largest pharmaceutical company in Brazil, leading the national market for over 11 consecutive years. Manufactures and commercializes prescription medications, generics, brand-name drugs, OTC products, and hospital medications across all medical specialties, exporting to more than 40 countries.
- Brace Pharma Specialty pharmaceutical company focused on innovative therapies in cardiology, endocrinology, rheumatology, neurology, psychiatry, and other essential specialties. Also the US-based arm for radical pharmaceutical innovation investments.
- Legrand Pharma Specialty pharmaceutical brand focused on ophthalmology and general pharmaceutical products with a presence in 90% of Brazilian pharmacies. Offers OTC products, branded medications, and prescription drugs, and holds the 4th largest line of generics by active ingredient.
- Germed Pharma A 100% Brazilian multinational pharmaceutical company and the 5th largest generic drug manufacturer in Brazil, holding the second-largest generic drug portfolio in the country with over 300 products. Pioneered the world's first generic with Video Bula (video package insert) technology.
- Novamed Manufacturing One of the five largest and most modern solid-dose medication factories in the world, with a production capacity of 1.5 billion tablets per month. Features a fully automated, robotized raw material weighing system and paperless electronic documentation.
- Sara Digital Medication Platform A free digital platform created by NC Tech innovation hub enabling patients to access electronic package inserts (bulas) for any medication via QR Code on packaging, set medication reminders via WhatsApp, create medication lists for polymedicated patients, and check recall alerts. Designed with accessibility features for visually impaired users and the 60+ demographic.
- Bionovis Biological Medicines Joint venture dedicated to the research, development, and production of high-complexity biological medicines and biosimilars for treating autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis) and various cancers. Strategic partnerships with Merck Serono and Janssen-Cilag, with a PDP with BioManguinhos/Fiocruz.
- Ofta Pharmaceuticals Pharmaceutical brand under EMS with the largest glaucoma portfolio in Brazil, as well as antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and ocular vitamins. Present throughout the entire national territory.
- Multilab Pharmaceuticals Brazilian pharmaceutical company with over 35 years of market experience, featuring an industrial complex in Rio Grande do Sul dedicated to research, development, and production of pharmaceutical products.
- Underskin Beauty Products
Quantifiable outcome
- 11+ years as leader in Brazilian pharmaceutical market
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use NC Group
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
NC Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
NC Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Brace Pharma Scientific CommitteecoreScientific advisory committee including Nobel Prize winner Eric Kandel (Columbia University), Samuel Broder (former NCI Director and AIDS drug co-developer), and Raymond Schinazi (Emory University, HIV/Hepatitis drug creator). Provides strategic guidance for radical innovation investments.
- BionoviscoreJoint venture formed by EMS and three other pharmaceutical laboratories in 2012, focused on biological medications of high complexity. Bionovis represents a core strategic investment for EMS in the biotechnology segment considered the future of the pharmaceutical industry.
- Merck SeronocoreStrategic partnership enabling Bionovis to produce and commercialize innovative biological medications in Brazil. Partnership includes technology transfer of cell banks and production processes for biological medications treating autoimmune diseases and cancer.
- Janssen-Cilag (Johnson & Johnson)coreStrategic partnership with Bionovis for development and commercialization of innovative biological medications and biosimilars in Brazil. Partnership valued at R$ 2 billion annual market potential with technology transfer included.
- BioManguinhos/FiocruzcorePartnership for Productive Development (PDP) aligned with Brazilian Ministry of Health policies for development of the Health Industrial Complex. Bionovis will transfer technology and expertise as part of this public health initiative.
Scale indicators16 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
NC Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Eurofarma Laboratórios: Brazil's largest privately-held domestic pharma competitor (after EMS), operating across branded, generic, and OTC segments with similar therapeutic breadth and a strong field-sales footprint. Closely comparable in scale, vertical integration, and Brazilian market focus.
- Aché Laboratórios Farmacêuticos: Major Brazilian pharmaceutical company with a broad prescription and OTC portfolio, similar manufacturing footprint, and comparable sales-led GTM targeting Brazilian physicians and pharmacies. Direct competitor across multiple therapeutic categories.
- Hypera Pharma: Largest Brazilian pharma company by market cap (B3-listed), formed via Hypermarcas reorganization, with dominant OTC, generics, and branded prescription businesses. Comparable scale, broad therapeutic coverage, and Brazilian market leadership ambitions.
- Biolab Farmacêutica: Brazilian pharmaceutical company with a strong prescription, generic, and dermatology portfolio and growing international presence. Competes with EMS in branded prescription categories and shares a sales-led GTM targeting Brazilian specialists.
- Libbs Farmacêutica: Privately-held Brazilian pharmaceutical manufacturer focused on branded prescription, generics, and women's health. Comparable in private ownership structure and Brazilian sales-led distribution, with overlapping therapeutic areas.
- Cristália Produtos Químicos Farmacêuticos: Brazilian pharmaceutical manufacturer with strong hospital and specialty portfolio, including anesthetics and infectious disease therapeutics. Comparable in vertical integration from API to finished product and government/SUS channel exposure.
- Medley (Sanofi): Brazilian generics powerhouse owned by Sanofi, historically a top-three generic player in Brazil. Direct comparable in generic scale, regulatory navigation, and Brazilian distribution; competing head-to-head in generics pricing.
Broad incumbents
- Teva Pharmaceutical Industries: Global generics and biosimilars leader. Comparable in generics manufacturing scale and biosimilar pipeline ambition, and a direct competitor in the cross-border generic and biosimilar segments EMS is targeting.
- Sanofi: Global pharmaceutical incumbent with significant Brazilian operations (including Medley). Comparable in biologics/biosimilars pipeline (relevant to Bionovis JV) and as a multinational reference for the innovation path EMS is pursuing via Brace Pharma.
- EMS competitor summary - Boehringer Ingelheim: Global pharmaceutical company with established Brazilian operations across prescription and specialty therapeutics. Relevant as a multinational reference point for therapeutic coverage, R&D investment intensity, and biologics pipeline depth.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
NC Group social profiles
Digital presenceNC Group compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
NC Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
NC Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
NC Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries20 records
NC Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
NC Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about NC Group
What does NC Group do?
NC Group (Grupo NC / Grupo EMS) is a Brazilian privately held conglomerate that manufactures and commercializes pharmaceutical products—including prescription drugs, generic medications, branded medicines, OTC products, and hospital pharmaceuticals—through its anchor company EMS, the largest pharmaceutical laboratory in Brazil. The group also operates digital health platforms (Sara), biotechnology joint ventures (Bionovis), radical innovation activities in the US (Brace Pharma), and non-pharmaceutical businesses in renewable energy, real estate, and private equity.
Is NC Group a public or private company?
NC Group is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was NC Group founded?
NC Group was founded in 1964. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is NC Group based?
NC Group is headquartered in São Paulo, Brazil, in the Latin America region.
How does NC Group make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Pharmaceutical Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are international Pharmaceutical Exports, renewable Energy and private Equity Investments.
Who are NC Group's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Eurofarma Laboratórios, Aché Laboratórios Farmacêuticos, Hypera Pharma, Biolab Farmacêutica, Libbs Farmacêutica, Cristália Produtos Químicos Farmacêuticos and Medley (Sanofi). Broad incumbents are Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Sanofi and EMS competitor summary - Boehringer Ingelheim.
Does NC Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for NC Group.
What industry is NC Group in?
NC Group's product category is Pharmaceutical Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAAAF, Corporate Venture Capital (CVC), with a secondary code of FSANAHAI, Corporate Innovation & Technology Scouting Units (with investment mandate). Its NAICS code is 55111 and its SIC code is 2834.