What Ningxia Qiyuan Pharmaceutical Co. does

Ningxia Qiyuan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is a privately held Chinese bio-pharmaceutical manufacturer headquartered in Yinchuan, Ningxia, that originated from the 1967 Ningxia Pharmaceutical Factory and was restructured in 2001. The company produces antibiotic active pharmaceutical ingredients (tetracycline hydrochloride, tetracycline, erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin) and vitamin C, and is among the top three global producers of tetracycline and erythromycin APIs. Annual production capacity is reported at 2,000 tons of tetracycline hydrochloride and 20,000 tons of vitamin C, with products exported to 90+ countries under US FDA, European COS, EUGMP, and CEP certifications, plus HALAL and KOSHER food certifications for vitamin C.

The company operates a vertically integrated, multi-subsidiary structure under Qiyuan Industrial Investment: Qiyuan Pharmaceutical (API manufacturing), Qiyuan National Pharmaceutical (finished dosage forms across five formats — tablets, granules, capsules, pills, suppositories — with brands such as Jinlian Qingre and a goji berry series), Qiyuan Medicine (pharmaceutical distribution and a retail chain of 8 directly operated pharmacies in Ningxia), and Yuyuan Biotechnology (the exclusive Ningxia producer of D-Sorbitol plus industrial hydrogen gas, leveraging corn deep-processing). Revenue mechanics span B2B API sales to domestic and international pharmaceutical manufacturers, B2B finished-formulation distribution via a seven-person regional sales force covering all Chinese provinces, B2C retail through owned pharmacies and JD.com flagship stores, and contract/quote-based pricing throughout. R&D is anchored by a state-recognized enterprise technology center, a postdoctoral research workstation, 200+ technical personnel, R&D equipment valued at 67.17M RMB, and 33 valid invention patents covering proprietary fermentation and extraction processes.

Name

Ningxia Qiyuan Pharmaceutical Co.

Legal name

宁夏启元药业有限公司

Website

https://china-qiyuan.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ningxia Qiyuan Pharmaceutical is a privately held Chinese bio-pharmaceutical manufacturer headquartered in Yinchuan, Ningxia, producing tetracycline, erythromycin, and vitamin C APIs for global pharmaceutical manufacturers and exporting to 90+ countries. It also runs finished dosage-form manufacturing, a Ningxia pharmacy chain, and a D-Sorbitol subsidiary.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients)

NAICS

Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254), Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (424210)

SIC

Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries (5122)

akta.pro primary industry

Generic APIs & Intermediates (Active Ingredients) (HLAIABAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Infectious Disease & Antimicrobials Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAG), Specialty Pharmaceutical Distributors (HLAIAJAB), Primary Care & General Medicine Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAA)

Keywords

• Antibiotic active pharmaceutical ingredients
• Vitamin C manufacturing
• Pharmaceutical preparations
• Microbial fermentation APIs
• Corn deep processing biochemicals

Headquarters

HQ city

Yinchuan

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Antibiotic API Production and Sales: Production and sale of antibiotic active pharmaceutical ingredients including tetracycline hydrochloride, tetracycline, erythromycin, azithromycin, and clarithromycin. Main products are APIs sold globally and domestically to pharmaceutical manufacturers.
2. Vitamin C Series Products: Production and sale of vitamin C raw materials, feed additives, food additives, coated products, fine powders, granules, and derivatives like L-ascorbyl-2-phosphate ester. Sold to domestic and international markets.
3. Finished Pharmaceutical Preparations: Production and sale of Chinese and Western medicine preparations including tablets, granules, capsules, pills, and suppositories through Qiyuan Guoyao subsidiary. Products sold via retail pharmacies, hospitals, and online channels.
4. Pharmaceutical Distribution and Retail: Pharmaceutical wholesale, distribution, and retail chain operations through Qiyuan Pharmacy subsidiary, operating directly managed chain pharmacies in Ningxia region.
5. Corn Deep Processing / D-Sorbitol and Hydrogen Gas: Yuyuan Biotechnology subsidiary produces D-sorbitol (exclusive producer in the autonomous region) and hydrogen gas as industrial raw materials.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Ningxia Qiyuan Pharmaceutical Co. researches, develops, and manufactures antibiotic active pharmaceutical ingredients (tetracycline, erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin) and vitamin C APIs/derivatives at industrial scale, alongside finished pharmaceutical preparations (tablets, granules, capsules, pills, suppositories) and corn deep-processed biochemicals (D-sorbitol, hydrogen gas). It operates an integrated pharmaceutical group with API production, finished drug manufacturing, distribution, and retail pharmacy operations exporting to 90+ countries.

Product overview

Ningxia Qiyuan Pharmaceutical Co. operates as an integrated pharmaceutical manufacturer with four distinct business segments: Qiyuan Pharmaceutical (antibiotic and vitamin API production), Qiyuan National Medicine (finished dosage form manufacturing), Qiyuan Medicine (distribution and retail pharmacy operations), and Yuyuan Biotechnology (biochemical manufacturing). The company's core product portfolio centers on active pharmaceutical ingredients including erythromycin, tetracycline, azithromycin, and vitamin C, complemented by industrial biochemicals such as D-sorbitol and hydrogen gas. The finished dosage forms segment produces tablets, capsules, granules, pills, and suppositories distributed through both physical pharmacies and the JD.com e-commerce platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 金莲清热系列 (Jinlian Qingre Series): Traditional Chinese medicine series for clearing heat and detoxification, including Jinlian Qingre granules and capsules
• 枸杞系列 (Goji Berry Series)
• 山楂精降脂系列 (Hawthorn Essence Lipid-lowering Series)
• 维生素C系列 (Vitamin C Series)

Products and services

• Erythromycin API Antibiotic active pharmaceutical ingredient (erythromycin API) used as production input for finished erythromycin-based drug formulations for human and animal health. Produced through advanced fermentation, extraction, and purification processes with US FDA, EUGMP, and CEP certifications enabling global export to 90+ countries. Sold to domestic and international pharmaceutical manufacturers.
• Tetracycline Hydrochloride API Broad-spectrum antibiotic API (tetracycline hydrochloride) used as production input for finished tetracycline formulations for human and veterinary use. Produced at 2,000 t/a capacity with industry-leading fermentation yield and total recovery rate, holding US FDA, COS, EUGMP, and CEP certifications for global sale to pharmaceutical manufacturers.
• Azithromycin API Macrolide antibiotic API (azithromycin) used as production input for finished antibacterial drug formulations. Manufactured by Ningxia Qiyuan Pharmaceutical and sold to pharmaceutical manufacturers in domestic and international markets.
• Clarithromycin API Macrolide antibiotic API (clarithromycin) used as production input for finished antibacterial drug formulations. Manufactured by Ningxia Qiyuan Pharmaceutical for sale to pharmaceutical manufacturers. Trial production began in November 2014.
• Vitamin C Series (Ascorbic Acid APIs and Derivatives) Vitamin C raw materials, feed additives, food additives, coated products, fine powders, granules, and derivatives such as L-ascorbyl-2-phosphate ester produced at 20,000 t/a annual capacity. HALAL and KOSHER certified for international food markets and supplied to domestic and international vitamin C manufacturers and food industries. Uses patented gluconic acid primary crystallization mother liquid recovery process.
• Finished Pharmaceutical Preparations (Jinlian Qingre Series, Compound Danshen Tablets, and other Chinese/Western medicine preparations) Chinese and Western medicine finished preparations in five dosage forms (tablets, granules, capsules, pills, suppositories), health foods, and traditional Chinese medicine extracts. Major brands include Jinlian Qingre series (Qingre Jiedu), Compound Danshen Tablets, Goji Berry series (Qisheng Capsules), Hawthorn Essence Lipid-Lowering series, and Vitamin C series. Manufactured by Ningxia Qiyuan National Pharmaceutical subsidiary and distributed to hospitals, pharmacies, and consumers through Qiyuan Pharmacy retail chain and JD.com.
• D-Sorbitol Sugar alcohol (D-sorbitol) used in food, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications as a sweetener and humectant. Produced through corn deep-processing biochemistry by Ningxia Yuyuan Biotechnology Co., Ltd. as the exclusive producer within Ningxia autonomous region, holding significant regional cost advantage and product quality control.
• Hydrogen Gas (Industrial) Industrial hydrogen gas produced as a byproduct of D-sorbitol manufacturing. Used in D-sorbitol production and serves as industrial raw material, industrial gas, and specialty gas for industrial applications.
• Qiyuan Pharmacy Retail Chain Services Pharmaceutical wholesale, distribution, and retail pharmacy chain services operated through 8 directly operated Qiyuan Pharmacy stores in Ningxia region (Yinchuan Branch 1, Yinchuan Branch 3 South Bridge, Yongning Branch 2, Wuzhong Branch 1, Wuzhong Branch 2) plus online JD.com flagship stores. Includes internet hospital prescription circulation platform integration with 8 Yinchuan hospitals for off-hospital prescription fulfillment and chronic disease management.

Quantifiable outcome

• Tetracycline fermentation yield and total recovery rate at domestic leading levels
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• 宁夏环境科学学会 / 自治区生态环境厅宣传教育中心 / 永宁县科学技术协会minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 March 2023Joint environmental science popularization activity held at Qiyuan Pharmaceutical's headquarters with partners including Ningxia Environmental Science Association, the Regional Ecological Environment Department Publicity Education Center, and Yongning County Science and Technology Association. Over 100 employees participated in environmental protection education.
• 银川海关coreTechnology or Integration · 12 December 2022Qiyuan Pharmaceutical obtained AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) Advanced Certification from Yinchuan Customs in December 2022. This certification provides benefits including lowest customs inspection rates, exemption from guarantees, and priority customs clearance, serving as a global trade 'green pass'.
• SGS (通标标准技术服务(中国)有限公司)coreTechnology or Integration · 29 September 2022SGS conducted annual surveillance audits for Qiyuan Pharmaceutical's ISO 14001 environmental management system, OHSAS 18001 occupational health and safety management system, and ISO 50001 energy management system in 2022. The triple-system audit was conducted over 4.5 days with no serious non-conformances identified.
• 宁夏药品监督管理局coreTechnology or Integration · 1 September 2022Qiyuan Pharmaceutical's vitamin C API passed GMP inspection by the Ningxia Medical Products Administration, demonstrating regulatory compliance for production quality standards.
• 天津大学、南京工业大学、河北工业大学、宁夏大学、宁夏医科大学、四川抗菌素工业研究所coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2022Qiyuan Pharmaceutical has established R&D partnerships with multiple universities and research institutes through project collaboration. These include Tianjin University, Nanjing Tech University, Hebei University of Technology, Ningxia University, Ningxia Medical University, and Sichuan Institute of Antibiotics Research, providing the company with access to academic research capabilities and talent.
• 银川大学 (银川能源学院)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 January 2022Qiyuan Pharmaceutical partnered with Yinchuan University (Yinchuan Energy College) and Ningxia Modern Senior Technical School to launch the 'Enterprise New Apprenticeship' training program in January 2022. The program follows a 'school-enterprise dual-mentor, work-study integration' model, providing skills training for employees with the goal of developing mid-to-senior level technical workers over 1-2 year training periods.
• 银川市卫健委 / 银川市处方流转中心 / 8家医院coreTechnology or Integration · 6 January 2022Three Qiyuan Pharmacy stores (Yinchuan Branch 1, 2, 3) are connected to the Yinchuan Internet+ Hospital prescription circulation platform co-built by the Yinchuan Health Commission, Yinchuan prescription circulation center, and 8 local hospitals. This enables pharmacy receipt of off-hospital prescriptions and chronic disease management services.
• 宁夏医保局coreTechnology or Integration · 6 December 2021Qiyuan Pharmaceutical (through Qiyuan Pharmacy subsidiary) coordinated with Ningxia Medical Insurance Bureau and the prescription circulation center to enable three of its pharmacies to access the internet hospital prescription circulation platform, allowing them to receive and process prescriptions from designated hospitals.
• 宁夏回族自治区科技厅coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 September 2018Qiyuan Guoyao received 480,000 RMB in advance funding from the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Science and Technology Department for a key R&D project - 'Quality Efficacy Optimization Research of Compound Liquorice Tablets'. The project was successfully completed and passed acceptance review in September 2022.
• 宁夏圣利亚化工有限公司minorOthersThird-party hazardous waste disposal company licensed to handle waste mineral oil from Qiyuan Pharmaceutical's manufacturing operations.
• 宁夏滨河海利建材有限公司minorOthersThird-party hazardous waste disposal company licensed to handle waste chemical reagents (waste liquid) from Qiyuan Pharmaceutical's manufacturing operations.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Tianjin Pharmaceutical Group: Large, diversified state-linked Chinese pharmaceutical group with API manufacturing, finished formulations, and distribution. Comparable to Qiyuan's vertical structure across APIs, finished dose, and pharmacy/retail operations.
• Livzon Pharmaceutical Group: Diversified Chinese pharmaceutical group with APIs, finished formulations (including TCM), and distribution. Broader and more diversified than Qiyuan, but operates in overlapping API, finished-dose, and TCM categories.
• China Resources Pharmaceutical Group: Large Chinese pharmaceutical and healthcare conglomerate with API manufacturing, finished formulations, and pharmacy distribution. Overlaps with Qiyuan in API manufacturing and distribution/retail pharmacy operations but at much larger scale.

Direct peers

• CSPC Pharmaceutical Group: Hong Kong-listed Chinese pharmaceutical group with significant antibiotic API (e.g., penicillin, cephalosporin) and finished-formulation businesses, with strong international certification footprint. Comparable to Qiyuan as a vertically integrated Chinese API manufacturer serving global markets.
• Jiangshan Pharmaceutical: One of China's top vitamin C producers with large-scale fermentation and export capability. Direct comparable to Qiyuan's vitamin C franchise, sharing the same commodity export dynamics and process-driven cost competition.
• Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical: Chinese API and finished-dose manufacturer with US FDA- and EU GMP-approved manufacturing and significant international API exports. Comparable to Qiyuan in the regulated generic API space and finished-formulation portfolio, though biased toward cardiovascular and antiretrovirals.
• Northeast Pharmaceutical Group: Major Chinese producer of vitamin C and a range of APIs including antibiotics; one of the largest vitamin C manufacturers globally, with a comparable export-heavy, API-centric business model. Closely comparable to Qiyuan's mix of large-scale vitamin C capacity and antibiotic API manufacturing.
• Apeloa Pharmaceutical: Chinese API and intermediate manufacturer with significant antibiotic API capacity and international regulatory approvals (US FDA, EU GMP). Comparable to Qiyuan as a Chinese API platform targeting regulated export markets with vertical integration into intermediates.
• Shandong Lukang Pharmaceutical: Chinese pharmaceutical manufacturer specializing in antibiotic APIs (semi-synthetic penicillins, cephalosporins) with domestic and export channels. Comparable to Qiyuan's antibiotic API focus, regulatory certifications, and integrated finished-dose business.

Regional players

• Jointown Pharmaceutical Group: Leading Chinese pharmaceutical distributor and pharmacy chain operator, with a national wholesale and retail network. Comparable to Qiyuan's Qiyuan Medicine subsidiary in pharmaceutical distribution and retail, though Jointown operates at a national rather than regional scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Ningxia Qiyuan Pharmaceutical Co.