Domestic meds get cats' meow for pet sector

The company has about 7,000 veterinarians, with senior experts not only treating patients, but also serving as regional chief specialists and mentors, providing hands-on training to elevate overall clinical standards.

In addition, the company has partnered with institutions such as Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University and Inner Mongolia Agricultural University to jointly build small veterinary teaching hospitals and small veterinary industry colleges.

"Through these collaborations, we hope to get involved in shaping China's small animal medical education system, helping to enhance the clinical capabilities of pet veterinarians at the source," Fu said.

The breakthrough in domestically produced feline trivalent vaccines is just one example of the broader rise of China's pet pharmaceutical industry. According to the 2026 China Pet Industry White Paper, China's urban pet market reached 312 billion yuan last year, with the pet medical market alone growing to 94 billion yuan.

Import substitution is accelerating in the pet drug sector. Of the 52 pet drugs approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in 2024, 31 were domestically produced, surpassing the number of imported products for the first time. Of the 60 pet drugs registered last year, 47 were domestically produced.

China's pet market still has significant growth potential, Fu said. Industry data show that less than 20 percent of Chinese households own pets, far below the more than 70 percent penetration rate in Europe and the US.

In late 2024, the Ministry of Commerce included the pet economy in its list of sectors to promote consumption growth, with pet-related tourism and leisure activities emerging as new hot spots. In Tianjin's Wuqing district, a pet carnival is being planned, and in Changli county, Hebei, a pet-themed park is also in the works.

Ringpu Bio is now advancing the development of cutting-edge products including a feline tetravalent mRNA vaccine and a canine tetravalent live vaccine, along with several antiparasitic drugs. At the same time, the company is actively expanding its international presence, establishing a team of more than 40 staff members focused on global markets and exporting products to more than 40 countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.

The quality and technological level of the company's products is as good as those of some European generic drug manufacturers, Fu said.

"China accounts for over 70 percent of the global supply of veterinary active pharmaceutical ingredients, and our exports of pharmaceutical formulations and vaccines are also growing rapidly."

Looking ahead, Fu of Ringpu Bio acknowledged both challenges and opportunities.

"Our biggest challenge now is developing original new veterinary drugs. But we are making full efforts to achieve breakthroughs, and in certain areas, we have taken a leading position. Coupled with our advantages in manufacturing processes and cost control, we are confident that China will have a strong voice in the global industrial chain."

Wei Lan contributed to this story.