Chinese biopharmaceutical company Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals has signed a historic cooperation commitment letter with Brazil's Ministry of Health for the Productive Development Partnership (PDP) project, marking a significant milestone in Sino-Brazilian biopharmaceutical collaboration. The agreement was formalized on May 12, 2025, at Gan & Lee's headquarters in Beijing.
The signing ceremony was attended by Alexandre Padilha, Brazil's Minister of Health, who led a delegation accompanied by Heraldo Marchezini, CEO of Brazilian pharmaceutical company Biomm. They met with Du Kai, CEO of Gan & Lee, to finalize the strategic partnership that establishes Gan & Lee as the first Chinese pharmaceutical company to participate in Brazil's PDP program.
Strategic Importance for Brazil's Healthcare System
The PDP project represents a critical component of Brazil's public health system reform, designed to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and ensure stable supplies of essential medicines. This particular partnership focuses on localizing insulin production in Brazil, addressing a significant public health need.
"The PDP project will not only guarantee medication accessibility for Brazilian diabetes patients but will also systematically upgrade Brazil's biopharmaceutical capabilities, establishing the foundation for domestic insulin production," said Minister Padilha during the signing ceremony.
He further emphasized the strategic importance of this collaboration: "We consider this cooperation as a crucial starting point for deepening strategic relations between Brazil and Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals, with expectations to expand into the broader healthcare area in the future."
Addressing Diabetes Treatment Challenges
The collaboration specifically targets the production of insulin glargine in Brazil through a partnership between Brazil's state-funded medical research center Fiocruz, Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals, and Biomm. This initiative aims to significantly enhance diabetes treatment standards in the country.
Heraldo Marchezini, CEO of Biomm, highlighted the impact of this partnership: "This initiative not only alleviates current insulin shortages but also expands treatment access for Type 2 diabetes patients, representing a major advancement for Brazil's healthcare system."
The localization of insulin production addresses a critical healthcare need in Brazil, where ensuring consistent access to diabetes medications has been challenging. By establishing domestic production capabilities, Brazil aims to reduce dependency on imported insulin products and improve treatment accessibility for its population.
Broader Context of International Cooperation
This agreement was formalized following Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's state visit to China. Gan & Lee's insulin PDP project received approval in February 2025, with subsequent discussions held in April between Brazil's Ministry of Health and the company at Biomm's invitation.
The partnership represents a new phase of technological collaboration and industrial synergy between China and Brazil in the biopharmaceutical sector. Beyond addressing immediate healthcare needs, it establishes a framework for knowledge transfer and technological development that could benefit both countries.
Gan & Lee's International Expansion
For Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals, this agreement represents a significant step in its international market expansion strategy. The company has been actively increasing its efforts in innovative drug development and establishing global partnerships, particularly in emerging markets.
Over the past few years, Gan & Lee has established international partnerships and business activities with over 20 countries and regions along the Belt and Road Initiative. This collaboration with Brazil further strengthens the company's global footprint and demonstrates its capabilities in contributing to healthcare solutions beyond China's borders.
The partnership between Gan & Lee, Biomm, and Fiocruz exemplifies how international collaboration can address critical healthcare challenges while fostering technological development and industrial cooperation. As the project progresses, it is expected to yield significant benefits for diabetes patients in Brazil while potentially serving as a model for similar initiatives in other therapeutic areas and regions.
