Top Pharma API Suppliers in Canada

Kapil Radadiya
Written by Kapil Radadiya
Top Pharma API Suppliers in Canada

Introduction

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) are the foundation of modern medicine, responsible for ensuring therapeutic effects in medications. Canada plays a vital role in API manufacturing, with top suppliers ensuring high-quality ingredients for pharmaceuticals.

Additionally, several Indian API manufacturers have established a strong presence in the Canadian market, supplying cost-effective and high-purity APIs to pharmaceutical companies.

This article highlights top API suppliers in Canada, including Apotex, Teva Canada, ACIC Pharmaceuticals, Biovectra, and Pharmascience, along with Indian API manufacturers such as Chemignition Laboratory, Aurobindo Pharma, Dr. Reddy’s, Glenmark Life Sciences, Intas Pharmaceuticals, and Sun Pharma.

Top API Suppliers in Canada

1. Apotex Inc.

Headquarters: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Key APIs: Cardiovascular, Diabetes, Infectious diseases, Oncology

Apotex is Canada’s largest generic pharmaceutical company, producing over 200 APIs through its Global Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (GAPI) division. Apotex exports to 115+ countries, ensuring cost-effective API solutions for various therapeutic applications.

Key Strengths:

  • GMP-compliant API manufacturing
  • Extensive API portfolio covering multiple therapeutic areas
  • Global supply chain network

2. Teva Canada Limited

Headquarters: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Key APIs: Respiratory, Neurology, Pain Management, Cardiovascular

Teva Canada (formerly Novopharm) has been a leader in API and generic drug manufacturing since 1965. Acquired by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, it is now a top supplier of APIs in Canada.

Key Strengths:

  • High-quality generic APIs
  • Advanced API production facilities
  • Regulatory compliance with global standards

3. ACIC Pharmaceuticals

Headquarters: Brantford, Ontario, Canada
Key APIs: Injectable APIs, Antibiotics, Oncology

ACIC Pharmaceuticals specializes in API development and injectables. Established in 1973, the company partners with cGMP and FDA-approved facilities for high-quality API production.

Key Strengths:

  • Focus on complex injectable APIs
  • Strong partnerships with global pharma companies
  • Regulatory compliance with FDA & Health Canada

4. Pharmascience Inc.

Headquarters: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Key APIs: Anti-infectives, Cardiovascular, CNS, Diabetes

Pharmascience is one of Canada’s largest API manufacturers, with a presence in 50+ countries. The company is known for high-quality and cost-effective API manufacturing.

Key Strengths:

  • Global API distribution network
  • Advanced research & development capabilities
  • Compliance with Health Canada, US FDA, and EU-GMP

5. Biovectra Inc.

Headquarters: Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Key APIs: Oncology, Biotech APIs, Peptides, Synthetic Chemistry

Biovectra specializes in biotech APIs and fermentation-based pharmaceutical ingredients. In 2024, Agilent Technologies acquired Biovectra, expanding its biopharmaceutical capabilities.

Key Strengths:

  • Expertise in biotech APIs
  • Cutting-edge fermentation and synthetic chemistry
  • cGMP compliance with international standards

6. Actylis

Headquarters: Multiple locations, including Canada
Key APIs: Oncology, Cardiovascular, Anti-infectives

Actylis is a global API manufacturer, supplying generic pharmaceutical companies. The company holds a Drug Establishment License (DEL) from Health Canada, ensuring compliance with strict quality standards.

Key Strengths:

  • Health Canada-approved API production
  • Strong API customization services
  • Global API distribution network

7. IMCD Canada

Headquarters: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Key APIs: Specialty APIs, Excipients, Active Nutraceutical Ingredients

IMCD Canada supplies pharmaceutical ingredients, including specialty APIs and excipients. The company provides organic compounds and functional solutions for pharmaceutical formulations.

Key Strengths:

  • Supplier of functional excipients and active ingredients
  • Regulatory compliance with Health Canada
  • Strong API distribution for pharmaceutical companies

Explore a leading manufacturer of APIs.

With over 10 years of expertise, we ensure GMP compliance and provide reliable, high-quality solutions.

Top API Suppliers in Canada from India with a Global Presence

Several Indian API manufacturers have expanded their presence in the Canadian market, supplying high-quality, cost-effective APIs to Canadian pharmaceutical companies.

8. Chemignition Laboratory

Headquarters: Ahmedabad, India
Key APIs: Retinoids, Prostaglandins, Corticosteroids, Antihistamines

Chemignition Laboratory is a leading API supplier specializing in high-purity APIs with GMP compliance.

9. Aurobindo Pharma Limited

Headquarters: Hyderabad, India
Key APIs: Antibiotics, Antiretrovirals, Cardiovascular, CNS drugs

Aurobindo Pharma is one of India’s largest API manufacturers, supplying cost-effective APIs to global markets, including Canada.

10. Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories

Headquarters: Hyderabad, India
Key APIs: Gastrointestinal, Cardiovascular, Oncology, Dermatology

Dr. Reddy’s supplies generic and branded APIs, with a strong market presence in Canada.

11. Glenmark Life Sciences

Headquarters: Mumbai, India
Key APIs: Cardiovascular, Diabetes, Pain management, Oncology

Glenmark manufactures over 137 APIs, supplying Canadian pharmaceutical companies.

12. Intas Pharmaceuticals

Headquarters: Ahmedabad, India
Key APIs: Neurology, Oncology, Anti-infectives

Intas is a major API manufacturer, with Health Canada, U.S. FDA, and EMA approvals.

13. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries

Headquarters: Mumbai, India
Key APIs: Neurology, Diabetes, Cardiology

Sun Pharma produces over 200 APIs, ensuring Canadian market distribution.

14. Lupin Limited

Headquarters: Mumbai, India
Key APIs: Cardiovascular, Diabetes, Asthma, CNS, Anti-infectives

Lupin is a top API producer, focusing on cardiovascular and diabetes APIs.

15. Zydus Lifesciences (Zydus Cadila)

Headquarters: Ahmedabad, India
Key APIs: Anti-infectives, Gastrointestinal, Cardiovascular, Oncology

Zydus is a global API supplier, serving Canada, the USA, and Europe.

Conclusion

Canada has a strong API manufacturing industry, supported by local suppliers and global manufacturers from India and other countries. By selecting a trusted API supplier, pharmaceutical companies can ensure quality, regulatory compliance, and cost-effective production.

FAQs

Which are the top API suppliers in Canada?

Some of the leading API suppliers in Canada include Apotex, Teva Canada, ACIC Pharmaceuticals, Biovectra, Pharmascience, Actylis, and IMCD Canada. These companies manufacture and supply APIs for both generic and branded pharmaceuticals.

API supplier in Canada?

Yes, several Indian API manufacturers have a strong presence in the Canadian market. Companies like Chemignition Laboratory, Aurobindo Pharma, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Glenmark Life Sciences, Intas Pharmaceuticals, Sun Pharma, Lupin, and Zydus Lifesciences supply high-quality APIs to Canada.

What is the difference between APIs and excipients?

APIs are the active ingredients in a medication that provide the desired therapeutic effect. Excipients, on the other hand, are inactive substances used in the drug formulation to help with drug delivery, stability, and absorption (e.g., fillers, binders, and preservatives).

Prostaglandins API supplier?

Chemignition Laboratory is high quality Prostaglandins API manufacturer and supplier.