What We Do
Through manufacturing and distribution, we make quality pharmaceuticals, consumer healthcare products and medical devices available to our valued customers through our comprehensive supply channels.
Since our establishment in 1962, our business has been focused on making pharmaceuticals, consumer healthcare products and medical devices available to customers in the markets in which we operate, through manufacturing and distribution, and in a manner which fairly rewards all stakeholders. We know our business intimately and have a growing network of loyal customers; this will remain our business for the future. Our confidence in our business stems from a conscious decision to focus resources on our area of expertise, which enables us to increase our capabilities, efficiencies and understanding of underlying trends in the industry.
Today, we hold more than 700 Group branded product registrations in 17 territories, adding to this constantly through sustained investment in research and development, and supported by over 370 trademark registrations. Derived from a core portfolio of more than 250 products, our Group branded products have successfully expanded their versions to global markets. We are dedicated to expanding our portfolio of products under proprietary Group Brands which now contribute more than 30% to the Group’s revenue. With a commercial presence in 20 territories encompassing all our business models and a vast network of over 16,000 customer accounts specifically in Malaysia and Singapore, we have a competitive edge in market reach, underpinning the success of our business.
Supported by a dedicated workforce of more than 900 staff, our transaction volume is significant. We process on average over 2,000 invoices per working day, totaling more than 600,000 invoices across both countries annually. With the recent acquisition of industrial land and buildings in Melaka along with the leasing of additional warehouse space in Singapore, the Group now boasts a total pallet capacity of over 11,000 spaces, supporting its long-term business growth.
Xepa-Soul Pattinson
We develop, manufacture and market XEPA branded off-patent generic pharmaceuticals and medical devices. We also conduct contract manufacturing for major pharmaceutical companies.
Founded in 1967 in Singapore, Xepa has grown and evolved at the cutting edge of the industry. From our modest first years when Xepa Laboratories Pte Ltd produced a limited range of pharmaceutical products in a small flatted factory, we have relocated twice to larger manufacturing plants in Melaka, Malaysia. Today, Xepa is a leading manufacturer of off-patent pharmaceuticals in Malaysia.
Xepa’s research and development teams formulate new products which are then manufactured to exacting standards. Xepa’s in house sales and marketing team brands, positions, promotes and handles sales of the entire range of XEPA branded products to private and public sector medical clinics, polyclinics, pharmacies and hospitals, within Malaysia and the region.
Xepa’s plant is at a 10-acre site in Cheng Industrial Estate in Melaka and comprises 39,484 square metres of development laboratories, production floors, warehouses and offices.
The Xepa range of products include cough mixtures and antihistamines, anti-infectives, anti-diabetics, anti-hypertensives, neuromuscular agents, analgesics, dermatologicals and ophthalmologicals in the form of tablets, capsules, oral liquid and suspension, creams and sterile eyedrops. The top-selling products include Bena and Adezio, which are market leaders in the cough and cold category.
Xepa employs world-class (PIC/S) Good Manufacturing Practice. Its plant is ISO 9001:2015 certified for its Quality Management System and the laboratory is ISO/IEC 17025 certified. It is also certified for ISO 13485 that represents the requirements for a comprehensive quality management system for the design and manufacture of medical devices.
In September 2017, Xepa was awarded a Certificate Of GMP Compliance Of A Manufacturer (also known as EU GMP Certificate) by the national competent authority of Hungary on behalf of the European Medicines Agency. The scope of the certification encompasses a wide spectrum of manufacturing operations of human medicinal products, namely sterile (eye drops) and non-sterile products (solids, semi-solids and liquids), packaging (both primary and secondary) and quality control testing (microbiological and chemical/physical). This EU GMP certification is a key milestone in Xepa’s strategy for sustainable long-term growth.
Over the next few years, Xepa will continuously embark on upgrading and expansion of its plant and facilities, which will keep it in the forefront of the regional market for years to come. Its new Oral Solid Dosage manufacturing facility (SPP NOVO) located at Cheng Industrial Estate Melaka is a vital infrastructure towards this end.
For further information, please visit www.xepasp.com
Distribution
We provide specialist market access services for pharmaceutical companies through provision of regulatory, redressing, sales, marketing and logistics services via a network of 8 distribution facilities in Singapore and Malaysia.
We develop and manage a 2nd portfolio of Group branded pharmaceuticals, consumer healthcare products and medical devices focused on primary care.
Apex Pharma Malaysia
Apex Pharma Malaysia is the distributor for a number of internationally known brands such as Nestle, 3M and Rigel Pharma. It is also Malaysia’s leading pharmaceutical and consumer healthcare wholesaler. Its national network of depots give coverage to the whole country. The depots and personnel are specialists in handling pharmaceuticals which require special handling, storage and documentation. The entire physical network is linked by inventory software by SAP which allows Apex Pharma Malaysia and its principals to track their products with speed and precision.
Apex Pharma Malaysia took a major step in commissioning its first purpose-designed warehouse, which became operational in the second quarter of 2005. The Apex Pharma Central Warehouse in Subang Jaya has 60,000 square feet of space designed specifically for pharmaceutical logistics and warehousing and another 40,000 square feet of office space for corporate offices.
For further information, please visit www.apexpharma.com.my
Apex Pharma Singapore
The Group’s distribution subsidiary in Singapore, Apex Pharma Marketing Pte Ltd, became a wholly owned subsidiary of Apex Healthcare Berhad, after acquisition from United Engineers Limited in 2005.
Apex Pharma Singapore relocated its entire Singapore operations into a 3-storey 50,000 square feet industrial building located at Loyang Way 1 in 2013. This infrastructural investment provides the platform for further growth of Apex Pharma Singapore through effective and seamless delivery of wholesaling, marketing and distribution services.
For further information, please visit www.apexpharma.com.sg
Apex Pharmacy
E-commerce
In 2017, Apex Pharmacy started its e-commerce pharmacy business to enhance consumer convenience, consumer access and consumer education. The Apex Pharmacy online platform aligns with the Core Tenets of the company by providing exemplary Service, unwavering Quality and Integrity in thought, word and deed; in meeting the needs of the consumers.
For further information, please visit www.apexpharmacy.com.my
Abio Marketing
Each brand has its distinct attributes catering to different segments of the market. The portfolio of each brand is continuously being expanded through line extension, product development and where strategic, alliance with business partners. Strategic investment will continue to be made in enhancing brand equity, recognizing the importance of Group Brands as key assets to Apex Healthcare Group.
Corporate
Straits Apex Group
We contract manufacture orthopaedic devices and surgical instruments for global multinational companies.
The orthopaedics business contract manufactures surgical grade orthopaedic devices, components and surgical instruments. Orthopaedic components (e.g. screws, plates, implants, intra-medullary nails, pins, external fixators) are used in the surgical treatment of musculoskeletal disorders resulting from trauma, disease, injuries or deformities.
In 2013, Apex Healthcare Berhad Group made its foray into the business of manufacturing orthopaedics devices for the global market through investment for 40% equity in a new joint venture, ABio Orthopaedics Sdn Bhd. Through further acquisitions, the business was restructured under a 40% owned associate company, Straits Apex Group Sdn Bhd (‘SAG’), which owns two operating 100% subsidiaries, ABio Orthopaedics Sdn Bhd and Straits Orthopaedics (Mfg) Sdn Bhd, through a wholly owned intermediate holding company, Straits Apex Sdn Bhd (‘SA’).
In 2023, SAG divested 60% equity in SA to Quadria Capital, to partially realise value in the business and to position the business for future growth. With a 16% effective equity interest in the SA group of companies through SAG, Apex Healthcare Group is able to participate in the future growth of the orthopaedics business together with Quadria Capital.
For further information, please visit www.straitsortho.com.my
Zynexis
We commercialize pharmaceuticals, consumer healthcare products and medical devices under the brand of Zynexis in selected ASEAN countries and other international markets.
In 2022, Apex Healthcare Group through its wholly-owned Singapore subsidiary, First SGC Pte Ltd entered into a Subscription and Shareholder Agreement with Shanghai Pharmaceutical Import & Export Co., Ltd. a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co. Ltd. (‘SPH’) to subscribe SGD 1.2 million (RM 3.9 million) for 40% equity in a Singapore joint venture company which has since been incorporated as Zynexis Healthcare Private Ltd (‘Zynexis’). SPH is a Fortune Global 500 company incorporated in Shanghai, China with dual listings on the stock exchanges in Shanghai and Hong Kong.
Zynexis serves as a vehicle to commercialize pharmaceuticals, consumer healthcare products and medical devices from SPH and AHB Group under the brand of Zynexis in selected ASEAN countries and other international markets. The joint venture with SPH extends Apex Healthcare Group’s capabilities to offer new generation generics as well as leading edge novel and innovative pharmaceutical products to the ASEAN markets