Japan-based Santen Pharmaceutical Co. has launched the construction of a new plant in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China. The 126,000 square meter site is designed to enhance local production capacity for prescription eye drops, anticipating increased demand from the globally aging population. The facility is expected to begin operations in 2025.
Capacity and Strategic Expansion
Once operational, Santen’s new plant in China will have an annual capacity to manufacture approximately 840 million 5-milliliter vials of prescription ophthalmic solutions. This expansion complements Santen’s existing facilities, which include two plants in Japan and an existing Suzhou plant that opened in 2007. Currently, the combined capacity of these three plants is 400 million vials per year.
Company Overview and Market Presence
Santen is a global leader in ophthalmic solutions, generating JPY 241.6 billion ($2.25 billion) in revenues in 2020. According to Fineline Info & Tech data, the company actively markets 12 products in China. The new plant in Suzhou underscores Santen’s commitment to expanding its production capabilities and meeting the growing demand for ophthalmic solutions worldwide.
Future Outlook
The construction of the new plant in Suzhou marks a significant step in Santen’s strategic expansion. By increasing its production capacity, Santen aims to better serve the global market, particularly in regions with aging populations where the demand for prescription eye drops is expected to rise.-Fineline Info & Tech
