Guilin Southern Medicine Co.

What Guilin Southern Medicine Co. does

Guilin Southern Medicine Co., Ltd. (桂林南药股份有限公司) is a Chinese pharmaceutical company founded in 1958 and headquartered in Guilin, Guangxi. It operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd. (600196.SH / 02196.HK) after being acquired in 2003. The company specializes in R&D, manufacturing, and sales of artemisinin-based antimalarial pharmaceuticals and generic chemical drugs across four product categories — tablets, capsules, injections, and APIs — spanning over 200 product specifications. Core proprietary assets include Artesun® (the first and only WHO-PQ certified injectable artesunate for severe malaria, holder of China's first Category X-01 new drug certificate from 1987) and Argesun® (second-generation injectable artesunate), alongside world-first pediatric dispersible formulations SPAQ-CO Disp® and D-ARTEPP Dispersible for sub-Saharan African children. The company holds 30 WHO-PQ certifications, 2 FDA-certified production lines, and complies with international GMP standards.

The business model is anchored in B2B institutional procurement. Approximately 80% of revenue is generated internationally (~812M RMB of 1.047B RMB total in 2020), with direct supply relationships to the World Health Organization (WHO), The Global Fund (TGF), and Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), plus distribution through 40+ registered and 80+ sold countries across 5 continents. Domestic Chinese sales (~20% of revenue) flow through a network of agents and distributors to hospitals and pharmacies. A Côte d'Ivoire subsidiary supports African operations, and an African production base is under construction. Pricing is negotiated through institutional procurement frameworks rather than publicly disclosed.

Recent strategic activity includes the 2026 launch of Maribavir as the second Chinese manufacturer (entering transplant antiviral care), ongoing accumulation of WHO-PQ certifications, expansion of a Phase III manufacturing facility, and deepening partnerships with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Chinese universities for R&D. The company has cumulatively treated 88 million+ severe malaria patients with Artesun® and contributed over 100 million RMB in annual taxes to Guilin for 10 consecutive years. Guilin Southern Medicine functions as Fosun Pharma's antimalarial and Africa-focused manufacturing arm, operating with significant regulatory and category leadership in the global institutional antimalarial supply market.

Name

Guilin Southern Medicine Co.

Legal name

桂林南药股份有限公司

Website

https://guilinpharma.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Guilin Southern Medicine Co. is a Chinese pharmaceutical manufacturer (founded 1958, Fosun Pharma subsidiary) specializing in artemisinin-based antimalarial drugs and generic chemical medicines, supplying WHO, the Global Fund, and MMV across 80+ countries with Artesun® as the WHO-recommended first-line treatment for severe malaria.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Antimalarial Pharmaceuticals

NAICS

Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833)

akta.pro primary industry

Infectious Disease Specialty Pharmaceuticals (Non-vaccine) (HLAIACAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Infectious Disease & Antimicrobials Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAG)

Keywords

• Antimalarial pharmaceuticals
• Artesunate injections
• Generic drug manufacturing
• Active pharmaceutical ingredients
• WHO prequalified medicines

Headquarters

HQ city

Guili

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Pharmaceutical Product Sales (Domestic): Sale of pharmaceutical products (tablets, capsules, injections, APIs) within China to domestic distributors, hospitals, and pharmacies. Revenue estimated at approximately 20% of total sales.
2. Pharmaceutical Product Export (International): Export of antimalarial and generic pharmaceutical products to international markets through WHO procurement, Global Fund procurement, and direct sales to international partners. Products are sold to over 80 countries. International sales account for approximately 80% of total revenue.
3. WHO, Global Fund, MMV Institutional Supply: Direct supply of antimalarial drugs to major international health organizations including WHO, the Global Fund (TGF), and Malaria Medicines Venture (MMV). These institutions procure antimalarial medications for distribution to endemic countries. Company has 39 antimalarial product lines with WHO-PQ certification and 30 total WHO-PQ certifications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Guilin Southern Medicine Co. is a Chinese pharmaceutical manufacturer specializing in the R&D, production, and global sale of antimalarial drugs and generic chemical pharmaceuticals. Its core offering is the artesunate-based antimalarial franchise (injectable Artesun®/Argesun®, dispersible pediatric SPAQ-CO Disp® and D-ARTEPP®), supplied to WHO, the Global Fund, MMV, and African national health ministries across 80+ countries. Beyond antimalarials, the company manufactures over 200 generic pharmaceutical products across anti-infectives, cardiovascular, digestive, neurological, and immunological categories, plus APIs, via GMP-compliant facilities in Guilin, China.

Product overview

Guilin Southern Medicine Co. is a comprehensive pharmaceutical company specializing in chemical drug R&D, manufacturing, and sales. The company operates four main product lines: tablets, capsules, injections, and API, covering over 200 product specifications. The core portfolio is centered on anti-malarial products, particularly the artesunate series including Artesun® and Argesun® for severe malaria, D-ARTEPP® and SPAQ-CO Disp® for pediatric malaria treatment and prevention, and Artemether Lumefantrine formulations. Beyond anti-malarials, the company produces drugs across anti-infectives (amoxicillin, roxithromycin, moxifloxacin, metronidazole), cardiovascular (bumetanide, tolvaptan), digestive/metabolic (lactasin, Shenqu Weitong), neurology (sertraline), immunology (apremilast), and API products (levamisole, ferrous sulfate). The product portfolio includes both first-generation and second-generation injectable artesunate, multiple dispersible tablet formulations for pediatric use, and a diverse range of generic pharmaceutical products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Artesun®: First-generation injectable artesunate for severe malaria treatment
• Argesun®
• SPAQ-CO Disp®
• D-ARTEPP®
• 南药智+

Products and services

• Artesun® (Injection Artesunate, 注射用青蒿琥酯) First-generation injectable artesunate for severe malaria treatment. WHO-recommended first-line drug for severe malaria, with China X-01 Class I new drug certificate (1987). Thermapeutic efficacy is 7x higher than conventional artemisinin due to novel water solubility solution.
• Argesun® (Second-Generation Injection Artesunate) Second-generation injectable artesunate for severe malaria treatment, representing an improved formulation of the original Artesun® with better clinical performance.
• SPAQ-CO Disp® (Sulfadoxine Pyrimethamine + Amodiaquine Dispersible Tablets) Sulfadoxine Pyrimethamine dispersible tablet + Amodiaquine hydrochloride dispersible tablet for pediatric malaria prevention and treatment in seasonal malaria chemoprevention in sub-Saharan Africa.
• D-ARTEPP® (Dihydroartemisinin Piperaquine Ordinary/Dispersible Tablets) Dihydroartemisinin Piperaquine ordinary tablet/dispersible tablet, with the dispersible form being the world's first pediatric formulation of this class. Six specifications all passed WHO-PQ certification. The 11-day half-life of piperaquine provides extended protection against malaria reinfection.
• Artemether Lumefantrine Tablets (蒿甲醚本芴醇片) Artemether Lumefantrine combination tablet for malaria treatment, available in multiple strengths including 20mg/120mg, 40mg/240mg, 60mg/360mg, and 80mg/480mg, in both regular and dispersible forms.
• Artesunate Amodiaquine Tablets (青蒿琥酯阿莫地喹片) Combination tablet of artesunate and amodiaquine for malaria treatment.
• Compound Sulfadoxine Tablets (复方磺胺多辛片) Antimalarial combination drug for malaria treatment and prevention.
• Bumetanide Tablets/Injection (布美他尼片/注射液) Loop diuretic for treatment of edema, heart failure, and hypertension. API has FDA certification and the company holds process patents for bumetanide API manufacturing.
• Amoxicillin Capsules (阿莫西林胶囊) Beta-lactam antibiotic for treatment of bacterial infections, passed bioequivalence evaluation.
• Apremilast Tablets (阿普米司特片) Novel oral targeted drug for treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults eligible for phototherapy or systemic therapy.
• Sertraline Hydrochloride Tablets (盐酸舍曲林片) FDA-certified antidepressant, first-line treatment for depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Lactasin Tablets (乳酶生片) Probiotic digestive aid for indigestion, bloating, and diarrhea in children, with self-produced API.
• Shenqu Weitong Tablets/Capsules (神曲胃痛片/胶囊) Traditional formulation for gastric pain, acid regulation, and digestive aid, featuring a traditional brand heritage.
• Compound Chlorhexidine Dexamethasone Film (复方氯己定地塞米松膜) Oral mucosal film for treatment of oral ulcers, combining broad-spectrum antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.
• Peramivir Injection (帕拉米韦注射液) Injectable neuraminidase inhibitor for treatment of influenza.
• Tolvaptan Tablets (托伐普坦片) Novel diuretic for treatment of hyponatremia and fluid retention in heart failure, can be used in severe renal impairment.
• Maribavir Tablets/API (马立巴韦片/原料药) Antiviral drug for treatment of CMV infection in transplant recipients, approved by NMPA in May 2026. Maribavir tablets are generic drugs with passed equivalent efficacy evaluation.
• Vitamin B6 Injection (新规格) Vitamin B6 injection 1ml:0.1g new specification that passed generic drug consistency evaluation by NMPA in March 2026.
• Metronidazole Tablets (甲硝唑片) Antibacterial and antiprotozoal drug, passed generic drug bioequivalence evaluation, one of only 7 manufacturers nationwide with this certification.
• Roxithromycin Tablets (罗红霉素片) Macrolide antibiotic for bacterial infections, passed generic drug bioequivalence evaluation.
• Moxifloxacin Hydrochloride API and Formulation (盐酸莫西沙星原料药及制剂) Fluoroquinolone antibiotic approved for marketing, equivalent to passing bioequivalence evaluation.
• Levamisole Phosphate (磷酸左旋咪唑) Broad-spectrum anthelmintic drug with proprietary salt-forming technology.
• Levamisole Hydrochloride (盐酸左旋咪唑) Broad-spectrum anthelmintic with high purity via unique salt-forming technology, leading domestic export volume.
• Ferrous Sulfate (硫酸亚铁) Iron supplement for treatment of iron deficiency anemia, providing ferrous ions for hemoglobin synthesis.
• Bumetanide API (布美他尼原料药) Loop diuretic API with FDA certification; the company holds process patents for bumetanide API manufacturing.
• Artesunate Tablets (青蒿琥酯片) Oral artesunate tablet formulation; preparation method received invention patent in 1985. First Chinese artemisinin-based antimalarial formulation to pass WHO prequalification (2005).

Quantifiable outcome

• Injectable artesunate (Artesun®) has cumulatively saved over 88 million severe malaria patients, predominantly children under 5 in Africa
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered important, core and minor.

• China Pharmaceutical University, School of Pharmacy (中国药科大学药学院)importantStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 October 2021Guilin Southern Medicine regularly collaborates with China Pharmaceutical University for talent recruitment, research cooperation, student internship bases, and joint talent development programs. The university visit included discussion on deep research support, talent cultivation cooperation, and internship base creation.
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (比尔及梅琳达·盖茨基金会)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 July 2021The Gates Foundation is a key partner supporting Guilin Southern Medicine's antimalarial program. Foundation representatives have conducted on-site visits to evaluate the company's WHO-PQ products and 'Double Circulation + Double Drive' quality management model. The foundation's China malaria project team has given high praise for the company's contributions to global malaria elimination efforts, including serving Africa and supporting WHO prequalification.
• China Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, MOFCOM (商务部国际贸易经济合作研究院)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 July 2021CAITEC researchers visited Guilin Southern Medicine in July 2021 alongside Gates Foundation representatives to research the company's internationalization development, particularly in African market expansion, WHO-PQ certification, and mechanisms for helping domestic enterprises expand internationally.
• Guilin Medical University (桂林医学院)importantStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2021Co-built the 'Guangxi Engineering Research Center for Generic Oral Solid Preparation Quality and Efficacy Consistency Evaluation' with Guilin Medical University. This engineering center was officially recognized by the Guangxi Development and Reform Commission in June 2021. The partnership focuses on advancing generic drug quality evaluation and一致性评价 capabilities.
• Guangxi Taxation Bureau Third Inspection Bureau (广西税务局第三稽查局)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 31 May 2021Party building cooperation between the tax bureau's Communist Party general branch and Guilin Southern Medicine's Party Committee.双方签订党建共建协议, focusing on organizational foundation building, cadre development, anti-corruption, and joint development initiatives.
• Uganda Consulate General in Guangzhou (乌干达共和国驻广州总领事馆)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 May 2021Uganda's Deputy Consul General visited Guilin Southern Medicine to explore potential investment, trade partnerships, and preferential market conditions for entering the Uganda/East Africa market. The Consulate oversees 4 Chinese provinces including Guangxi, representing a strategic diplomatic channel for African market expansion.
• Nanning Customs / Guilin Customs (南宁海关/桂林海关)importantGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2021Nanning Customs leadership conducted site visits to support Guilin Southern Medicine's export operations. The company achieved AEO advanced certification under customs guidance and received the 'Approved Exporter' qualification. Customs authorities provide preferential clearance policies and 'one enterprise, one policy' support for key pharmaceutical exporters.
• Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, Guilin Branch (浦发银行桂林分行)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 January 2021Partnership for joint Communist Party building activities and collaborative cultural events. Both companies originated in Shanghai — one in finance and one in health. The parties signed a Party Building Cooperation Agreement to carry out diverse and deep cooperative activities, including team-building events and youth activities.
• Chuangde Medical (创德医药)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor创德医药驻桂办首席代表 mentioned in context of African market operations support. Represents a distribution/exclusive agency partnership for regional market coverage.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights14 records

Direct peers

• Cipla: Indian global generic pharmaceutical company that supplies WHO-prequalified antimalarials and other generics into African and emerging markets. Competes with Guilin on WHO/Global Fund tenders and shares the WHO-PQ regulatory pathway as a primary moat.
• Ajanta Pharma: Indian specialty generics firm with a strong antimalarial and African-market franchise, including WHO-PQ products. Directly comparable as a manufacturer of antimalarial finished dosages sold into malaria-endemic countries through institutional channels.
• Strides Pharma Science: Indian global generic manufacturer with WHO-PQ approved antimalarial products and a focus on institutional/African markets. Compares to Guilin in WHO-PQ strategy, finished-dose antimalarial manufacturing, and emerging-market distribution model.
• Ipca Laboratories: Indian API and finished-dose manufacturer that is one of the world's largest suppliers of artemisinin-based antimalarials to WHO and Global Fund, with multiple WHO-PQ certifications. Directly competes with Guilin Southern Medicine in the same institutional procurement channel for antimalarial APIs and finished formulations.

Broad incumbents

• Novartis: Multinational originator of Coartem (artemether-lumefantrine) and a longtime WHO partner in malaria treatment through the Novartis Malaria Initiative. Competes in the same antimalarial therapeutic space and shapes WHO normative guidance that drives institutional procurement.
• Sanofi: Multinational pharma that co-developed ASAQ Winthrop (artesunate-amodiaquine) with DNDi for African public-sector markets and historically supplied large volumes of antimalarials. Competes in malaria tenders but as part of a much broader therapeutic portfolio.
• Aurobindo Pharma: Large Indian generic manufacturer with WHO-PQ approved antimalarial (and ARV) products and deep institutional supply into Africa. Comparable as a broader-spectrum peer in WHO-PQ finished-dosage supply to Global Fund and African ministries.
• Viatris (Mylan): Global generics major with extensive WHO-PQ certifications across antimalarials, ARVs, anti-infectives, and a broad emerging-market institutional channel. Comparable because it competes head-to-head with Guilin in WHO/Global Fund tenders and across Africa.
• Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group): Publicly-listed parent company of Guilin Southern Medicine and a broader Chinese pharma group with global commercial reach across APIs, finished formulations, biosimilars, and innovation. Comparable as a peer because Guilin's WHO-PQ and African operations are executed under Fosun's internationalization strategy and shared platform.

Emerging players

• Shin Poong Pharmaceutical: Korean pharma that developed and historically supplied injectable artesunate (Artéus™) in Africa, including with WHO engagement. Comparable directly as a manufacturer of injectable artesunate for severe malaria, although significantly smaller in volume and certification breadth than Guilin.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance19 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Guilin Southern Medicine Co.