Transitioning to Co-Creation with Lion Japan
In January 2023, Merap and Lion Corporation (Japan) signed a strategic cooperation agreement. After over two years of partnership and value resonance, as of Q2/2025, MERAPLION officially becomes a member of Lion Japan in Vietnam, marking an M&A turning point of “co-creation” instead of traditional “acquisition.”
This deal inherits the entire system of products, factories, distribution, and personnel from Merap, while integrating technology, quality standards, and international management models from Lion. The philosophy of “Glocalization” – globalization coupled with local identity – guides MERAPLION’s development model, preserving the corporate culture, personnel, and medical ecosystem cultivated over two decades.
Mr. Dao Xuan Dinh, Chairman of MERAPLION’s Board of Directors
Elevating Standards, Preserving Vietnamese Values
At the M&A announcement, Mr. Dao Xuan Dinh, Chairman of MERAPLION’s Board of Directors, affirmed:
“Lion has chosen to invest in the long-term value of Merap’s people. The localization model is the strategic focus, and the Merap team is an irreplaceable factor.”
MERAPLION is now deeply integrating into Lion’s global value chain. This process involves standardizing production according to J-GMP standards and transferring R&D technology from Japan. Simultaneously, the company is standardizing its financial and accounting management systems according to international practices and embracing sustainable development by adopting the ESG standards, encompassing 23 groups of content related to environmental, social, and corporate governance issues.
MERAPLION’s Leadership
Amidst the Vietnamese pharmaceutical industry’s demands for high capability, transparency, and adherence to international standards, MERAPLION is charting a unique path: retaining its existing system, innovating from within, and focusing on deep investments.
According to industry experts, the MERAPLION-style M&A model of bilateral cooperation instead of acquisition could become a sustainable trend, especially as domestic enterprises shift from processing to autonomously controlling the value chain. This also proves that Vietnamese enterprises can collaborate globally while preserving their identity, local market data, and organizational capabilities.
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