What Qilu Pharmaceutical does

Qilu Pharmaceutical, founded in 1958 in Jinan, China, is one of the largest vertically integrated pharmaceutical companies in China, currently ranked Top 3 in the Chinese pharmaceutical industry by main business income (2024). The company develops, manufactures, and markets active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and finished dosage formulations (FDFs), exporting to over 110 countries across Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, and South America. With approximately 38,000 employees (70% holding bachelor's degrees or above), 12 subsidiaries, and 11 manufacturing sites, Qilu serves global healthcare providers, pharmaceutical distributors, and government health systems through direct sales and international subsidiaries in the US, Europe, and Brazil.

Qilu's product portfolio spans approximately 350 marketed products, including over 79 First-to-Launch generics in China and a biosimilars franchise (5 products launched, 4 holding the largest market share in China). Qilu is the world's major supplier of Cephalosporins, Tazobactam, Amikacin Sulphate, and Carbapenems, with 2,000 tons/year Cephalosporin capacity. The innovation pipeline includes over 80 innovative products and 20+ biosimilars, with novel modalities including CDH6 and CLDN6 antibody-drug conjugates (QLS5133 with FDA Fast Track designation; QLS5132), a CD3/BCMA/GPRC5D trispecific antibody (QLS4131), and a KAT6A/B inhibitor (QLS1304). In 2023, Qilu launched its first innovative drug, Iruplinalkib Tablet (Qi Xinke), an ALK inhibitor for ALK-positive NSCLC. R&D is supported by over 5,200 scientists across 6 R&D platforms in the US (Seattle, Boston, San Francisco) and China (Shanghai, Jinan, Hainan).

Qilu's business model is anchored in vertical integration from API to finished formulation manufacturing, with manufacturing sites certified by US FDA, EDQM, MHRA, EMA, PMDA, and TGA. Qilu was the first Chinese company to obtain USFDA (2004) and EDQM (2003) approval for sterile APIs. Revenue streams include API sales, finished formulation sales (16 FDFs marketed in US, 10 in Europe), biosimilars, and licensing/co-development deals such as the near-$120M collaboration with Insilico Medicine (January 2026) for AI-driven cardiometabolic drug discovery and the exclusive Greater China license for Minghui's MHB088C B7-H3 ADC. Sales scaled from 100 million CNY in 1990 to over 10 billion CNY by 2010, with continued international expansion driving subsequent growth.

Name

Qilu Pharmaceutical

Legal name

Qilu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Website

https://en.qilu-pharma.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Qilu Pharmaceutical is one of China's top three vertically integrated pharmaceutical companies, developing, manufacturing, and marketing APIs and finished formulations across oncology, anti-infectives, and biosimilars for global healthcare providers and distributors in 110+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

NAICS

Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254), Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (42421)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries (5122)

akta.pro primary industry

Compounding Ingredient & API Distributors (Pharma Supply) (HLAIAJAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cardiometabolic Pharmaceuticals (Cardiovascular/Diabetes/Obesity) (HLAIAAAE), Biologics & Biosimilars Distributors (HLAIAJAH), Immunology & Inflammation Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAD)

Keywords

• Active pharmaceutical ingredients
• Finished dosage formulations
• Biosimilar development
• Oncology therapeutics
• Generic pharmaceuticals

Headquarters

HQ city

Jinan

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Finished Dosage Formulations (FDFs): Leading manufacturer of injectable and solid dose products with significant in-house development and manufacturing capabilities. The company has launched approximately 350 products with over 79 'First-to-launch' in China and 3 products 'D181 launch' in US.
2. Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs): Large-scale manufacturing for chemically synthesized, lyophilized, sterile, crystallized and fermented APIs. Qilu is the world's major supplier of Cephalosporins, Tazobactam, Amikacin Sulphate and Carbapenems.
3. Biosimilars: First biological product launched in 1999 with 5 products launched and 4 holding largest market share in China. Focus on recombinant protein drugs from prokaryotic and mammalian cell expression.
4. Licensing and Co-development: Strategic partnerships including near $120 million collaboration with Insilico Medicine for cardiometabolic drug development, and licensing agreements for innovative drug development and commercialization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Qilu Pharmaceutical develops, manufactures, and commercializes active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), finished dosage formulations (FDFs), biosimilars, and innovative drugs. Its portfolio of approximately 350 marketed products spans oncology, anti-infectives, central nervous system, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular, respiratory, and ophthalmological therapies, with global distribution through exports to 110+ countries and 12 international subsidiaries.

Product overview

Qilu Pharmaceutical is a vertically integrated pharmaceutical company with a comprehensive portfolio spanning active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), finished dosage forms (FDFs), biosimilars, and innovative drugs. The company has launched approximately 350 products, with over 79 being 'First-to-Launch' in China. The pipeline includes over 200 generic products, 80+ innovative products, and 20+ biosimilars. Key innovative products include Iruplinalkib Tablet (Qi Xinke) - Qilu's first innovative drug for ALK-positive NSCLC, and multiple ADCs in development (QLS4131, QLS5133, QLS5132). The company operates 11 manufacturing sites with certifications from US FDA, MHRA, EMA, PMDA, TGA, and other regulatory authorities worldwide. Therapeutic focus areas include Oncology, Anti-Infectives, Psychological & Neurological System, Cardiovascular & Cerebrovascular System, Respiratory, and Ophthalmological treatments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) Large-scale manufacturing of chemically synthesized, lyophilized, sterile, crystallized, and fermented APIs. Qilu is a major global supplier of Cephalosporins, Tazobactam, Amikacin Sulphate, and Carbapenems, supplying pharmaceutical manufacturers and formulators globally.
• Finished Dosage Forms (FDFs) Broad range of finished dosage forms including injectables (lyophilized powder, small volume parenteral, prefilled syringe, emulsion, liposome, nanoparticles), oral products (tablets, capsules, granules, soft capsules, oral dissolving films), respiratory products (inhalation solutions, dry powder inhalers, nasal sprays), and ophthalmic/topical products. Sold to hospitals, distributors, and healthcare institutions globally.
• Biosimilars Recombinant protein drugs from prokaryotic and mammalian cell expression systems, manufactured in cGMP-compliant facilities per USFDA, EMA, and NMPA requirements. Sold to healthcare providers and pharmaceutical distributors for the treatment of cancer and other diseases.
• Iruplinalkib Tablet (Qi Xinke) Qilu's first innovative drug, an ALK inhibitor tablet for the treatment of ALK-positive, locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients who have progressed after crizotinib treatment or are intolerant to crizotinib. Sold to hospitals and oncology treatment centers in China.
• Paliperidone Palmitate Suspension for Injection First generic version of Janssen's Invega Sustenna in China, a monthly long-acting atypical antipsychotic medication for schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, available in 117mg/0.75ml, 156mg/1ml, and 234mg/1.5ml strengths. Sold to hospitals, psychiatric institutions, and distributors in China.
• Ankeda (Bevacizumab Biosimilar) First Avastin (bevacizumab) biosimilar approved in China by NMPA for the treatment of multiple types of cancer. Sold to hospitals and oncology treatment centers for use in cancer treatment.
• Abiraterone Acetate Tablets Generic Abiraterone Acetate Tablets for prostate cancer treatment, exported to the US market. Represents one of Qilu's 14 exported products to the US, 10 of which are injectables.
• Palonosetron HCl Injection Generic version of Aloxi (Palonosetron HCl Injection 2.5mg/5ml) for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. First Day-181 launched product for Qilu in the US market.
• Tadalafil Tablets Generic version of Cialis (Tadalafil Tablets) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and other urological conditions. First Day-181 launched oral product for Qilu in the US market.
• Solifenacin Succinate Tablets Generic version of Vesicare (Solifenacin Succinate Tablets) for the treatment of overactive bladder. Third Day-181 launched product for Qilu in the US market.
• Piperacillin Sodium/Tazobactam Sodium for Injection Piperacillin Sodium/Tazobactam Sodium for injection, a broad-spectrum antibiotic approved by US FDA, EU, Japan, Australia, Singapore, and South Africa for the treatment of bacterial infections. Sold to hospitals and healthcare institutions globally.
• PEG-rhG-CSF Injection PEG Recombinant Human Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (PEG-rhG-CSF) Injection, a long-acting biologic drug approved by CFDA for the management of neutropenia in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
• Vicineum Licensed product for the treatment of BCG-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and other cancer types. Qilu holds exclusive license for development and commercialization in Greater China.

Quantifiable outcome

• Launched approximately 350 products with over 79 'First-to-Launch' in China
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Minghui PharmaceuticalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Collaboration on MHB088C (QLC5508), an investigational B7-H3-targeted antibody-drug conjugate for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Qilu holds exclusive licensing rights for development and commercialization in Greater China, while Minghui retains China-based combination study rights and global rights outside Greater China. Phase I/II study demonstrated encouraging anti-tumor activity with 71.7% 12-month rPFS rate.
• Insilico MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 January 2026Strategic partnership to accelerate development of new therapies for cardiometabolic diseases using Insilico's Pharma.AI platform. Total contract value close to $120 million including milestone payments and single-digit royalties. Insilico handles design and optimization while Qilu oversees subsequent development and commercialization. Deepens existing relationship from previous software licensing into full-scale R&D collaboration.
• Sesen BiomajorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 31 July 2020Exclusive license agreement for development and commercialization of Vicineum in Greater China for treatment of BCG-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and other cancer types. Qilu leveraging commercialization and manufacturing expertise while Sesen provides unique scientific research advantage in NMIBC.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine: China's largest innovative pharmaceutical company with a broad pipeline of innovator drugs, biosimilars, and APIs. Closest direct peer to Qilu given comparable vertical integration, domestic China scale, and aggressive push into innovative oncology and specialty therapeutics.
• Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical: Vertically integrated Chinese pharma with API manufacturing, finished formulations, biosimilars, and a growing innovative drug pipeline. Comparable to Qilu in product breadth, regulatory certifications, and global export footprint, with additional strength in vaccines and diagnostic products.
• CSPC Pharmaceutical Group: Hong Kong-listed Chinese pharma with strong API and finished formulation presence alongside an innovative drug pipeline in oncology and neurology. Comparable to Qilu in therapeutic focus areas and domestic market position among Top 10 Chinese pharma companies.
• Dr. Reddy's Laboratories: India-based global pharmaceutical company with strong API manufacturing, generic formulations, and biosimilars exporting to regulated markets including the US and EU. Comparable to Qilu in vertically integrated model, regulatory certifications, and aggressive Day-181 generic strategy in the US.
• Lupin Limited: India-based global pharmaceutical company with API manufacturing, generic formulations, and biosimilars targeting the US and other regulated markets. Comparable to Qilu in vertically integrated model, focus on complex generics and injectables, and Day-181 first-to-launch generic strategy.
• Aurobindo Pharma: India-based global pharmaceutical manufacturer with significant API and finished formulation operations serving regulated markets. Comparable to Qilu in API scale, vertically integrated manufacturing, and aggressive generic strategy in the US and EU.

Broad incumbents

• SinoPharm Group: China's largest state-owned pharmaceutical conglomerate spanning drug distribution, manufacturing, and retail pharmacy. Comparable to Qilu's distribution scale and broad product portfolio, though SinoPharm is significantly larger and more diversified into distribution and retail.
• Teva Pharmaceutical Industries: World's largest generic drug manufacturer with significant API production, biosimilars, and a growing specialty/innovative drug portfolio. Comparable to Qilu in vertical integration and global generics footprint, though Teva is significantly larger and more diversified geographically.
• Sandoz (Novartis): Global leader in generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilars with strong API manufacturing capabilities and broad product portfolio across anti-infectives, oncology, and specialty therapeutics. Comparable to Qilu in biosimilar ambitions and global export reach.

Emerging players

• BeiGene: Chinese-founded global oncology biotechnology company with a focus on innovative cancer therapies, including the Brukinsa franchise. Comparable to Qilu's oncology R&D ambitions and Chinese-origin innovation, though BeiGene is focused exclusively on innovative biologics and small molecules rather than generics or APIs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/QiluPharmaNews
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/qilupharmaceuticals

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments3 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Qilu Pharmaceutical