In 1/2023, Merap and Lion Corporation (Japan) signed a strategic partnership agreement. After more than two years of collaboration, Meraplion officially became a member of Lion Japan in Vietnam in the second quarter of this year. This M&A marks a shift towards "co-creation" rather than a traditional takeover.
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The complete handover between Merap and Lion Corporation. Photo: Meraplion |
The complete handover between Merap and Lion Corporation. Photo: Meraplion
This merger inherits Merap's entire product system, factory, distribution network, and personnel, while integrating Lion's technology, quality standards, and international management model. The "Glocalization" philosophy – globalization combined with local identity – guides Meraplion's development. This approach helps maintain the corporate culture, staff, and medical ecosystem built over two decades.
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The Meraplion team. Photo: Meraplion |
The Meraplion team. Photo: Meraplion
At the M&A announcement ceremony, Dao Xuan Dinh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Meraplion, stated, "Lion has chosen to invest long-term in Merap's people. Localization is our core strategy, and Merap's personnel are irreplaceable.".
Meraplion is now deeply integrated into Lion's global value chain. This includes standardizing production according to J-GMP standards, transferring R&D technology, and standardizing the international financial and accounting management system. The company aims for sustainable development according to ESG standards, encompassing 23 criteria related to environment, society, and governance.
As Vietnam's pharmaceutical industry demands higher responsiveness, transparency, and adherence to international standards, Meraplion has chosen a different path. They are retaining their existing systems, improving from within, and focusing on in-depth investment.
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Dao Xuan Dinh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Meraplion. Photo: Meraplion |
Dao Xuan Dinh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Meraplion. Photo: Meraplion
According to industry experts, the Meraplion M&A model – bilateral cooperation instead of acquisition – may become a sustainable trend, especially as domestic businesses shift from outsourcing to managing their own value chains. This also demonstrates that Vietnamese businesses can cooperate globally while maintaining their identity, market data, and local organizational capacity.
The Dan
