China needs more than 2,000 kinds of raw materials and intermediates supporting chemical industry every year, with a demand of more than 2.5 million tons. After more than 30 years of development, the chemical raw materials and intermediates required for China's pharmaceutical production can basically be matched, and only a small part needs to be imported. Moreover, due to China's relatively abundant resources and low raw material prices, many intermediates have been exported in large quantities. So, what are the development opportunities in the field of pharmaceutical intermediates in China?
The demand is increasing
After nearly 50 years of development, China's β-lactam antibiotics have formed a complete production system. In 2012, almost all β-lactam antibiotics (except for varieties during the patent period) can be produced in China, and the cost is very low, the output of penicillin ranks among the top in the world, and a large number of exports are supplied to the international market; cephalosporin antibiotics can basically be self-sufficient, and can also strive for some exports.
In 2012, all the intermediates matched with β-lactam antibiotics in China can be produced by ourselves, except for the semi-synthetic antibiotic parent nucleus 7-ACA and 7-ADCA, which need to be partially imported, all side-chain intermediates can be produced and exported in large quantities.
Taking phenylacetic acid, the main supporting intermediate of β-lactam antibiotics, as an example, there are nearly 30 manufacturers of phenylacetic acid in China, with a total annual production capacity of about 20,000 tons. However, most of the enterprises are small, with the largest annual output of 2,000 tons, and the others produce hundreds of tons per year. In 2003, the total domestic demand for phenylacetic acid was about 14,000 tons, and the consumption structure was: penicillin G accounted for 85%, other medicines accounted for 4%, spices accounted for 7%, pesticides and other fields accounted for 4%.
With the development of domestic spices, pharmaceuticals, pesticides and other industries, the demand for phenylacetic acid will further increase. It is estimated that by 2005, China's pharmaceutical industry will consume about 14,000 tons of phenylacetic acid, 500 tons of pesticide industry, and about 2,000 tons of spice industry. Combined with the consumption in other areas, the total domestic demand for phenylacetic acid is expected to reach 18,000 tons in 2005.