Brazil, Mexico Lead Latin America's US$25 Billion Pharmaceutical & Biotech Projects

Written by Amir Richani for IIR News Intelligence (Sugar Land, Texas)

Summary

Pharma Projects Abound

According to Industrial Info Resources data, there are about US$25 billion in investments across 2,486 pharmaceuticals and biotech projects in Latin America. Brazil and Mexico overwhelmingly lead investments, hosting the five biggest projects in the region.

Out of the total number of projects, 475 are assessed as having a probability of completion as planned; another 1,768 have a medium probability, and the remaining 243 have a low probability of completion.

Tied for the top three positions, each with investments of US$2 billion, are the Eusebio Grassroot Medical Supplies Plant, the Sao Goncalo do Amarante Grassroot Medical Devices Plant in Brazil and the Zapotlan de Juarez Grassroot Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Plant in Mexico.

Owned by China Meheco Corporation, the Eusebio plant in Brazil's Ceara state would manufacture medical devices. Construction is planned to kick off by February 2028, with completion expected by March 2030. However, the project remains low probability as the company conducts site studies.

Similarly, the Sao Goncalo do Amarante plant, also owned by China Meheco Corporation, would produce medical devices in Brazil's Ceara state. The project remains low probability as the company is conducting site studies and, if approved, could be ready by March 2030.

Also tied in the first spot, the Zapotlan de Juarez Grassroot Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Plant in Mexico would support the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Owned by Solar International Core Canada, the project could kick off by October 2027 and be completed in just 13 months. However, the project remains low probability as the company continues with the market analysis.

Amoveri Farma is the owner of the fourth-biggest pharmaceutical project in Latin America. The company contemplates the construction of the Itajai Research and Development Laboratory Addition in Santa Catarina, Brazil, for investments of US$1.68 billion. The facility would host R&D activities to support the production area and the development of oncotherapy products. The project remains low probability as it is in the project scope phase, with a possible kickoff date by December 2027 and completion by September 2029.

Finally, the fifth biggest pharmaceutical project in Latin America is Brazil's US$627 million Santa Cruz Grassroot Vaccine Biosimilar Fill-Finish plant owned by Instituto de Tecnologia em Imunobiologicos Bio-Manguinhos. Of the top five pharmaceutical projects in the region, it is the only one with a high probability of completion. Civil construction began in August 2020 while mechanical construction started in the first quarter of 2023. The project is expected to be completed in the first three months of 2028. The plant would produce 120 million vaccine doses of medication per year for meningitis, hepatitis and triple bacterial infection.

Key Takeaways

• Industrial Info Resources is tracking US$25 billion in pharmaceutical projects in Latin America.
• The three biggest projects are tied, each with projected investments of US$2 billion.
• The Santa Cruz vaccine plant in Brazil is the fifth-biggest project in the region, and it is already under construction.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, Industrial Info Resources is tracking over 250,000 current and future projects worth $30.2 Trillion (USD).