In the comprehensive ecosystem of the pharmaceutical industry, pharmaceutical intermediates serve as critical compounds that bridge basic chemical raw materials and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Although they do not directly possess medicinal properties, intermediates play an indispensable supporting role in key stages such as breakthroughs in drug discovery, scaling up for large-scale production, and ensuring quality and safety. From molecular design in the lab to standardized manufacturing in factories, the maturity of their technology, along with consistent quality and reliable supply, profoundly influence the overall quality of pharmaceutical industry development and the capacity to safeguard public health—making them a vital cornerstone for achieving independent and controllable growth within the pharmaceutical value chain.

Pharmaceutical intermediates are functional compounds used in the drug synthesis process—sitting between the starting raw materials and the final active pharmaceutical ingredient—and serve to build the basic molecular framework of a drug or introduce crucial functional groups. Through precise chemical transformations, these compounds provide the structural foundation for subsequent synthesis steps, acting like "modular components" in the drug-making process. They form the critical bridge that enables the seamless transition from chemical feedstocks to pharmacologically active ingredients.
Based on different dimensions, pharmaceutical intermediates can form a diverse classification system:
Classified by therapeutic application areas, the portfolio covers key categories such as anti-infectives, cardiovascular drugs, antitumor agents, and central nervous system therapies. Among these, antitumor intermediates have maintained rapid growth—driven by soaring demand for targeted therapies and immunotherapeutic drugs—exceeding 10% annual growth on average. Meanwhile, cephalosporin-series intermediates like 7-ACA, widely used in anti-infective treatments, continue to hold a significant market share, ensuring a steady supply of clinically essential antibiotics.
Based on their chemical structural characteristics, they can be classified into heterocyclic compounds, aromatic compounds, chiral compounds, and more. Heterocyclic intermediates are widely used in the synthesis of anticancer and antiviral drugs due to their versatility in matching diverse drug molecule structures. Meanwhile, chiral intermediates play a crucial role in enhancing drug efficacy while minimizing side effects, thanks to their ability to precisely control the optical purity of pharmaceuticals. However, their preparation relies on advanced, high-tech processes such as asymmetric catalysis, which pose significant technical barriers.
Classified by supply model, they include standardized general intermediates and customized, specialized intermediates. Customized intermediates have become a key driver of industry growth in recent years, fueled by the CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization) model, as they perfectly align with the personalized needs of innovative drug development.