Top 10 Companies in the Ursodeoxycholic Acid (UDCA) Intermediates Market (2026): Key Suppliers Powering Global Pharmaceutical Production

In Business Insights
February 26, 2026

The Global Ursodeoxycholic Acid (UDCA) Intermediates Market was valued at USD 230 Million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 484 Million by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.4% during the forecast period (2025–2034). This robust growth is being driven by the rising global prevalence of chronic liver diseases, increasing demand for gallstone dissolution therapies, and technological advancements in biocatalytic synthesis methods for producing high-purity intermediates.

As the pharmaceutical industry intensifies its focus on innovative liver therapeutics and efficient API manufacturing, the spotlight falls on the specialized chemical suppliers who are driving production scalability, process innovation, and supply chain reliability. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Ursodeoxycholic Acid (UDCA) Intermediates Industry—a blend of established pharmaceutical giants, specialized CDMOs, and pioneering bio-chemical firms shaping the future of bile acid chemistry.

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🔟 1. Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea
Key Offering: High-Purity UDCA Intermediates, 7-Keto Series, Custom Synthesis

Daewoong is a leading South Korean pharmaceutical company with a strong vertical integration strategy that includes the production of UDCA Intermediates for its own API manufacturing. The company leverages advanced chemical synthesis expertise to produce key intermediates like 7-ketolithocholic acid, ensuring a consistent and high-quality supply chain for its branded and generic UDCA products.

Innovation and Production Initiatives:

  • Investment in multi-step synthesis optimization for higher yields

  • Focus on producing intermediates compliant with international pharmacopoeia standards (USP, EP)

  • Strategic expansion of captive intermediate production to reduce external dependency

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9️⃣ 2. ICE Pharma S.p.A.

Headquarters: Caronno Pertusella, Italy
Key Offering: Steroid & Bile Acid Intermediates, cGMP UDCA Precursors

ICE Pharma is a globally recognized Italian fine chemical company specializing in steroid and bile acid chemistry. With decades of experience, it is a key supplier of high-purity UDCA Intermediates to pharmaceutical companies worldwide, renowned for its expertise in complex stereochemical transformations and strict adherence to cGMP standards.

Innovation and Production Initiatives:

  • Pioneering work in selective oxidation and reduction processes for the 7-position of the bile acid nucleus

  • Robust quality control systems ensuring batch-to-batch consistency


8️⃣ 3. Arch Pharmalabs Limited

Headquarters: Mumbai, India
Key Offering: UDCA Intermediates, Custom Synthesis Services, Contract Manufacturing

Arch Pharmalabs is a major Indian contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) with significant capabilities in producing UDCA Intermediates. The company’s strength lies in its cost-effective and scalable chemical synthesis processes, serving both domestic and international API manufacturers.

Innovation and Production Initiatives:

  • Development of efficient synthetic routes to minimize production costs

  • Strong focus on green chemistry principles to reduce environmental impact


7️⃣ 4. Axplora Group (formerly BASF Fine Chemicals)

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: High-Purity Pharmaceutical Intermediates, Bile Acid Derivatives

Axplora, building on the legacy of BASF’s fine chemicals division, is a leading European supplier of complex pharmaceutical intermediates. The company offers high-quality UDCA Intermediates, leveraging its extensive experience in managing intricate multi-step synthesis under stringent regulatory frameworks.

Innovation and Production Initiatives:

  • Advanced purification technologies to achieve ultra-high purity levels

  • Integrated supply chain from basic chemicals to advanced intermediates

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Ursodeoxycholic Acid (UDCA) Intermediates Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Zhongshan Belling Bio-Technology Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Zhongshan, Guangdong, China
Key Offering: Bile Acids, UDCA Intermediates, Crude and Purified Forms

Zhongshan Belling is a prominent Chinese manufacturer specializing in bile acid products and their derivatives. The company has a strong position in the UDCA Intermediates market, benefiting from access to domestic raw bile materials and a focus on both extraction and synthetic production methods.

Innovation and Production Initiatives:

  • Vertically integrated operations from raw bile sourcing to intermediate production

  • Continuous process improvement to enhance yield and purity


5️⃣ 6. Suzhou Tianlu Bio-pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
Key Offering: UDCA Intermediates, APIs, Bio-catalytically Produced Derivatives

Suzhou Tianlu is a key player in China’s bio-pharmaceutical sector, with a focus on bile acid-based products. The company is actively involved in the production of UDCA Intermediates and is investing in biocatalytic technologies as a more sustainable alternative to traditional chemical synthesis.

Innovation and Production Initiatives:

  • Research and application of enzymatic biotransformation for stereoselective synthesis

  • Expansion of production capacity to meet growing global demand


4️⃣ 7. Chuanning Bio (Sichuan)

Headquarters: Sichuan Province, China
Key Offering: Specialty Bile Acid Intermediates, Custom Synthesis

Chuanning Bio is a specialized manufacturer based in China, focusing on the production of bile acid intermediates. The company has developed expertise in the critical chemical steps required for UDCA synthesis, particularly in managing the challenging epimerization chemistry at the C7 position.

Innovation and Production Initiatives:

  • Specialization in key precursor molecules like the 7-oxo series intermediates

  • Focus on supplying niche, high-value intermediates to API manufacturers


3️⃣ 8. Changde Yungang Biotechnology Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Changde, Hunan, China
Key Offering: UDCA Intermediates, Crude Bile Acids, Purified Steroids

Changde Yungang Biotechnology is an established manufacturer in the Chinese market, producing a range of bile acid products and intermediates. The company’s strategic location provides access to agricultural resources, supporting its operations in the initial stages of the bile acid value chain.

Innovation and Production Initiatives:

  • Cost-competitive production leveraging local raw material advantages

  • Investment in purification technologies to meet higher purity specifications


2️⃣ 9. Fujian Nanfeng Biological Technology Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Sanming, Fujian, China
Key Offering: Bile Acid Extracts, Semi-synthetic UDCA Intermediates

Fujian Nanfeng is a growing player in the bio-chemical sector, with a focus on extracting and modifying natural bile acids. The company produces intermediates for UDCA synthesis, catering to the needs of pharmaceutical customers seeking reliable and cost-effective suppliers.

Innovation and Production Initiatives:

  • Development of hybrid processes combining extraction and synthetic chemistry

  • Focus on scaling up production to serve the expanding generic API market


1️⃣ 10. Shandong Zhongjing Biological Technology Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Jining, Shandong, China
Key Offering: UDCA Precursors, Bile Acid Salts, Pharmaceutical Intermediates

Shandong Zhongjing is a significant manufacturer of biochemical products in Eastern China. The company is involved in the production of UDCA Intermediates, leveraging its chemical synthesis capabilities and focus on the pharmaceutical and health supplement industries.

Innovation and Production Initiatives:

  • Expansion of product portfolio to include a wider range of bile acid derivatives

  • Commitment to maintaining competitive pricing through operational efficiency

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Ursodeoxycholic Acid (UDCA) Intermediates Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🧪 Outlook: The Future of UDCA Intermediates is More Efficient and Sustainable

The UDCA Intermediates market is undergoing a significant transformation. While traditional chemical synthesis remains dominant, the industry is increasingly investing in biocatalytic alternatives, process intensification, and greener chemistry to meet evolving regulatory and environmental standards.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Accelerated adoption of enzymatic and microbial biotransformation for stereoselective synthesis

  • Growing demand for high-purity intermediates from generic API manufacturers post-patent expiry

  • Strategic partnerships between intermediate suppliers and API producers to secure supply chains

  • Increasing regulatory scrutiny driving investments in cGMP-compliant manufacturing facilities

Get Full Report Here:
Ursodeoxycholic Acid (UDCA) Intermediates Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying critical chemical building blocks—they’re enabling the development of essential liver therapeutics for patients worldwide.