In recent years, the intermediate market for steroid hormone drugs has continued to heat up, and the production capacity and technological breakthroughs of core raw materials such as dienone acetate, monoenolone acetate, and Wolbachia oxide have become the focus of the industry. According to the latest industry analysis, the global market size of steroid hormone intermediates is expected to exceed 10 billion US dollars by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.8%. As the world's largest production base, China is accelerating the promotion of technological upgrading and industrial chain integration.

Hubei Minsheng Biotechnology: Dual wheel drive of production capacity and technology

Hubei Minsheng Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. in Yidu City, Yichang has recently become a focus of industry attention. As a high-tech enterprise in the field of steroid hormone intermediates, the company relies on 37 patented technologies to establish a leading domestic production base for diketone acetate, with an annual production capacity exceeding 5000 tons. The independently developed "double enol ketone acetate concentration automation control system" has increased the synthesis yield to over 63% through electric stirring and pressure regulation technology, significantly reducing production costs. This technology has obtained national patent certification and will achieve large-scale application in 2024.

It is worth noting that Minsheng Biotechnology has also made breakthroughs in the production of Wolbachia oxide through process optimization. The pressure reducing and concentrating device developed through innovation supports modular disassembly and cleaning, increasing production efficiency by 40% and effectively alleviating the raw material bottleneck of downstream products such as steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and contraceptives. The company leader stated that they will further increase investment in biosynthetic technology in the future to cope with the environmental pressure of traditional chemical synthesis.

The industrial cluster effect is highlighted

Relying on the technology spillover effects of leading enterprises such as Hubei Minsheng Biotechnology, the Huangshi region has formed a cluster of steroid drug intermediates industry. Data shows that there are over 30 affiliated enterprises gathered locally, covering a complete industrial chain from raw material extraction to high-end formulations. The 2025 work report of Huangshi Municipal Government clearly proposes to focus on supporting the technological transformation projects of enterprises such as Minsheng Biology, and promote the upgrading of steroid hormone intermediate production capacity towards green and intelligent direction.

Market monitoring data shows that the price of diketone acetate increased by 13.68% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, mainly driven by the surge in demand for downstream steroid hormone drugs. According to analysis by Caitong Securities, as the global population ages, the demand for treatments such as osteoporosis and autoimmune diseases continues to increase. It is expected that the market size of steroid drugs will exceed 35 billion US dollars by 2025, further stimulating the demand for intermediates.

Challenges and opportunities coexist

Despite the broad market prospects, the industry still faces multiple challenges. Factors such as fluctuations in raw material prices, stricter environmental policies, and intensified international competition have raised higher requirements for cost control and technological iteration in enterprises. Experts suggest that companies should strengthen upstream and downstream collaboration and layout biosynthetic technologies to address the limitations of traditional chemical synthesis. In addition, with the transformation of the domestic raw material pharmaceutical industry towards "green manufacturing", enterprises with technological advantages and environmental compliance capabilities will usher in greater development space.

Hubei Minsheng Biotechnology, as a leading enterprise in the field of steroid drug intermediates, is promoting industrial upgrading through continuous innovation. Its technological breakthrough not only consolidates its position in the global supply chain, but also provides important support for China's steroid drug industry to leap from "manufacturing advantage" to "technological advantage".