Marubeni Expands Pharma Reach with Phillips Pharma Deal

Marubeni Corporation made public about the finalization of its investment in Phillips Healthcare Corporation (Phillips Pharma), effectively making the African market-focused drug firm a Marubeni equity-method affiliate. With the development, Marubeni has enlarged its pharmaceutical strategic platform across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa to 26 countries and regions.

The investment builds on Marubeni’s growing presence in healthcare, which began in 2018 with its China-based distribution business, followed by its 2022 investment in Lunatus Marketing & Consulting FZCO in the Middle East. Most recently, Marubeni Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. was launched on August 1, 2025, after inheriting Sumitomo Pharma’s Asia sales business.

Key Highlights:

• Marubeni finalizes Phillips Pharma investment, expanding reach to 26 regions across Asia, Middle East, and Africa
• Partnership aims to ease Africa’s medicine shortages by leveraging Marubeni’s global network and Phillips Pharma’s local expertise
• Move aligns with Marubeni’s GC2027 strategy to build scalable, high-value healthcare platforms and improve access to medicines

"Through the collaboration with Phillips Pharma, we are facilitating the importation and distribution of highly demanded medicines into Africa where regulatory and pricing difficulties typically limit access. The partnership combines Phillips Pharma's established success and Marubeni's global reach to supply high-demand medicines to underserved markets." commented a Marubeni spokesman.

The African pharmaceuticals market is being confronted with fragmented rules and poor local capacity. Marubeni has already started brokering deals between Japanese pharma companies and Phillips Pharma to further increase product availability in the continent.

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"This investment reflects our Mid-Term Management Strategy GC2027, which pursues the development of scalable, high-value growth platforms. We are determined to enhance access to medicine and fill healthcare gaps between regions.” the spokesperson further said.

By cross-regional cooperation, Marubeni hopes to satisfy regional medical demands and enhance its position in world healthcare infrastructure development.