Summary

Mayoly Pharmaceutical Group, a long-established French pharmaceutical and dermatological company, has formally entered Haikou with the establishment of a new regional entity. The move aligns with Hainan’s upcoming island-wide sealed customs operations and positions the company to strengthen its footprint in China and the wider Asian market.

Company Background

Founded through the consolidation of two early-20th-century French laboratories, Mayoly is an independent pharmaceutical group specializing in gastroenterology and dermocosmetics. The company has:

Operations in 20+ countries and distribution in over 100 markets

A global workforce exceeding 2,000

International markets accounting for more than 65% of revenues

Estimated annual turnover of €500–560 million

Mayoly’s portfolio is anchored by Smecta (diosmectite), a clay-based gastrointestinal product marketed globally since 1975.

Manufacturing Capabilities

Mayoly maintains six production facilities, five located in France, and produces roughly 86% of its global sales in-house. Recent investments include:

€15 million upgrade at Dammarie-les-Lys

Two new production lines for Meteospasmyl (completed in 18 months)

Annual output exceeding 25 million boxes for more than 50 markets

This manufacturing concentration ensures consistency, regulatory control, and supply chain oversight.

Establishment in Haikou

On December 9, 2025, Mayoly registered a new legal entity in Meilan District, Haikou. The business license was processed within hours, reflecting the district’s expedited administrative procedures.

The company intends to develop:

A GSP-compliant pharmaceutical distribution center

A China Regional Pharmaceutical Sales Center

These operations will support Mayoly’s commercial expansion and enhance product availability within China.

Alignment with Hainan Free Trade Port Policy

Mayoly’s entry precedes the December 18, 2025 launch of island-wide sealed customs operations. Relevant policy shifts include:

Expansion of zero-tariff categories to ≈6,600 items (from 1,900)

Simplified “first-line” import procedures for goods entering Hainan

Potential for tariff-free entry into mainland China for products achieving ≥30% value-added processing in Hainan

These measures create a more competitive environment for pharmaceutical imports, distribution, and regional logistics.

Government Engagement and Business Environment

Haikou officials have held direct discussions with Mayoly’s leadership. Key areas of cooperation include:

Leveraging sealed operations to expand pharmaceutical trade

Integrating Mayoly’s activities into Haikou’s biomedicine industry development

Supporting rapid implementation through Meilan District’s foreign-investment service model (“policy pre-guidance, process pre-run, material pre-screening”)

The interaction signals strong local interest in attracting global healthcare companies.

Regional Market Expansion

Mayoly continues to strengthen its Asian presence. Recent developments include:

Opening a representative office in Ho Chi Minh City (March 2025)

Expansion of product lines acquired through Ipsen’s Consumer Health business (2022)

Key products for the region include Smecta, Forlax, Fortrans, Meteospasmyl, and Chophytol.

Product Innovation

In July 2025, Smecta suspension received a Product Innovation Leadership Award for its ready-to-drink design, an adjustment aimed at improving convenience and adherence in various markets.

Strategic Outlook

Establishing operations in Haikou enables Mayoly to:

Improve service capacity for the Chinese market

Benefit from Hainan FTP incentives: reduced tariffs, simplified taxation, and faster customs procedures

Use Hainan as a logistics and commercial hub for broader Asian distribution

Participate in the development of Hainan’s biomedicine industry

With established manufacturing capabilities and a well-known product portfolio, Mayoly is positioned to expand its role in China’s healthcare market as the Free Trade Port moves into a new policy phase.