Bobby Sheng

Bobby Sheng

Bobby Sheng (Chinese: 盛保熙; pinyin: Sheng Bao Xi; born April 1972) is a Taiwanese-American businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist who is the founder and Chairman of Bora Group and CEO of Bora Pharmaceuticals 保瑞藥業,[1] currently the largest pharmaceutical company in Taiwan.[2]

Early life and education

Bobby Sheng grew up in Huntington Beach, California, in a family rooted in the pharmaceutical industry and entrepreneurship. His father owned a pharmaceutical company, Hoan Pharmaceuticals, in Taiwan, and during summers, Bobby worked in the company’s warehouse or office, fostering an early appreciation for the role of pharmaceuticals in improving lives. At his father's encouragement, he pursued economics at the University of California, Berkeley. However, while still in university, his father fell ill, and Bobby, at the age of 22, had to return to Taiwan to work in the family business.

Career

Pharmaceutical Leadership

At Hoan, Bobby worked with family members and consultants to professionalize its structure[3], introducing an organizational chart and emphasizing corporate governance.

Ventures Beyond Pharma

While ensuring the company’s stability, Sheng explored ventures in other industries, including marketing, media, and technology. During the dot-com bubble, he gained experience in mergers and acquisitions by co-founding TheOne.com and then consolidating five tech companies[4] into a single entity.

His passion for music led him to establish Machi Entertainment a digital-first record label in Asia with Taiwan entertainer Jeff Huang and Korean producer Jay Chong[5]., Recognizing the growing demand for digital music amidst declining CD sales and rampant piracy, Sheng served as producer, financier, and executive.

Bora Pharmaceuticals

Global expansion in pharmaceuticals (2007-2017)

In 2007, Sheng shifted his focus back to the pharmaceuticals sector and founded Bora Pharmaceuticals, transitioning from pharmaceuticals distribution in Taiwan to Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) services.[6]

To promote adaptation to changes among new recruits and investors, Sheng distributed copies of the business fable[7] “Who Moved My Cheese?”. In 2013, Bora acquired its first manufacturing facility in Tainan, Taiwan, from the Japanese company Eisai, marking the start of its focus on contract drug development and production for international markets.

Bora Pharmaceuticals was listed on the Taipei Exchange in April 2017 and listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange in 2023.[8]

CDMO business expansion (2018-2022)

In 2018, Bora acquired a manufacturing site in Zhunan, Taiwan (formerly operated by Impax/Amneal).[9] In 2020, Bora acquired a facility in Mississauga, Canada, from GSK.[10] These acquisitions expanded Bora’s capabilities in small molecule CDMO operations and helped it gain presence in the North American market.[11]

"International pharmaceutical companies are less likely to consider outsourcing orders to small manufacturers," analyzed Hui-Chin Tseng, Honorary Deputy Managing Partner at PwC Taiwan, who has been involved in the biotech industry. She explained that focusing on contract manufacturing has the advantage of providing stable revenue streams; however, to secure contracts, CDMO’s production capacity and scale must also align with international standards. [12]

By 2022, Bora’s products were exported to over 100 countries.[13]

Dual-engine growth Strategy (2022-present)

In 2022, Bora entered the large-molecule CDMO market with the establishment of Bora Biologics, following its acquisition of Eden Biologics.[14]

In the same year, it acquired TWi Pharmaceuticals, a generics company based in Taiwan exporting to the US, gaining two oral solid dosage facilities, one ophthalmic manufacturing facility, and a portfolio of Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) assets.[15]

In November 2023, Bora Health, a subsidiary of Bora Pharmaceuticals, merged with SunWay Biotech. The transaction resulted in Bora Pharmaceuticals becoming the largest shareholder in SunWay Biotech and provided Bora Group with access to SunWay’s fermentation and extraction facilities, as well as research and analytical[16] capabilities.

In 2024, Bora completed the acquisition of Upsher-Smith Laboratories and a Maryland-based sterile injectable facility (formerly Emergent BioSolutions)[17]. These acquisitions were intended to drive business and strengthen manufacturing and commercial footprint in the U.S.[18]

In 2025, Bora completed a strategic investment in Tanvex to further develop its large-molecule CDMO business. [19]Through a reverse merger, Tanvex took over Bora Biologics and re-pivoted its biosimilar business towards CDMO with a "Bora" rebrand.

As of 2024, Bora Pharmaceuticals had a portfolio of 96 commercial products and operates under a “dual-engine” model combining CDMO services and pharma sales.[20]

The company has integrated sustainability into its governance and operations by linking part of executive pay to ESG metrics, establishing a Sustainability Committee in 2022, and setting annual goals.[21] In 2025, it received the World Finance Sustainability Award.[22]

Awards and honors

2020 – Bobby Sheng was awarded CEO of the Year at the CPHI [23]

2019,[24] 2024[25] – Bora Pharmaceuticals was named one of HR Asia’s Best Companies to Work for in Taiwan

2024 – Bora Pharmaceuticals received HR Asia’s Most Caring Company award[26]

2023 – Bora Pharmaceuticals was recognized as the Most Outstanding Company of the Year by Bio-Asia Taiwan[27]

2024 – [28]Bora Pharmaceuticals won the Presidential Innovation Award[29]

2025 – World Finance featured Sheng for his leadership in developing Bora Pharmaceuticals as a strategic CDMO, and the company received the World Finance Sustainability Award.[30]

Philanthropy

Sheng has participated in initiatives supporting Taiwan's healthcare industry and biosciences talent. Since 2021, the company formed partnership with Taishin Healthcare Limited, a private equity fund focused on contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) and contract research organizations (CROs) aligned with emerging global trends.[31]

He serves on the advisory board of the University of California, Berkeley College of Chemistry[32] and established the Bora Wei-En Sheng Foundation, which supports education related to adolescent depression and anxiety.[33]

He has spoken at events including the Stanford "Innovate Taiwan" Conference[34], the Biotech EMBA program at Taipei Medical University, and multiple BIO-Asia conferences[35].

References

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  2. ^ "保瑞併購安成完成交割，晉升成為台灣生產總量能最大藥業集團". Bora Pharmaceuticals. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  3. ^ shannon (July 22, 2020). "Bora's CEO, Bobby Sheng's interview with The Medicine Maker magazine - Bora Pharmaceuticals Premium CDMO". Retrieved August 11, 2025.
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  5. ^ 中时新闻网 (March 7, 2018). "人物侧写－从影视跨药业 盛保熙让舅舅吴东亮惊艳 - 要闻". 中时新闻网 (in Chinese (China)). Retrieved August 11, 2025.
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  8. ^ 自由時報電子報 (March 21, 2017). "保瑞藥業4/19上櫃 - 自由財經". 自由時報電子報 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Archived from the original on May 28, 2025. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
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  18. ^ 譚偉晟 (June 18, 2025). "數十年打磨 台灣業者藥華藥、國邑衝佳績…AI縮短研發時間、新藥成外銷要角 還併購這家美國百年藥廠- 今周刊". www.businesstoday.com.tw (in Chinese). Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  19. ^ Keenan, Joseph (May 22, 2025). "Bora Biologics expands operations in San Diego in wake of acquisition by Tanvex". www.fiercepharma.com. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  20. ^ 今周刊編輯團隊 (December 25, 2024). "200萬起家小藥廠、10年拚到市值771億生技股王！保瑞董座如何併購國際11案，拼當藥業台積電- 今周刊". www.businesstoday.com.tw (in Chinese). Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  21. ^ "Evolving with purpose in the CDMO industry". Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  22. ^ "World Finance Sustainability Awards 2025". Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  23. ^ "Bora Pharmaceuticals' Bobby Sheng Wins 'CEO of the Year' at the CPhI Pharma Awards". BioPharm International. October 15, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  24. ^ "Winner of Taiwan 2019 | HR Asia Best Companies To Work For In Asia". hr.asia. Archived from the original on January 16, 2025. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  25. ^ HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia (July 17, 2024). BORA PHARMACEUTICALS CO., LTD. - 2024 Taiwan HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia. Retrieved August 15, 2025 – via YouTube.
  26. ^ "Landing | HR Asia Best Companies To Work For In Asia". HR Asia Best Companies To Work For In Asia | This event handpicks world class corporations with high levels of employee engagement and excellent workplace cultures. December 14, 2020. Archived from the original on July 26, 2025. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  27. ^ content (July 29, 2023). "Bora Pharmaceuticals is Awarded Outstanding Company of the Y". Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  28. ^ 系統管理者 (April 16, 2024). "Winner list". 電子資通科. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  29. ^ 中央社. "保瑞為首家獲總統創新獎製藥公司 捐獎金助花蓮重建". 中央社 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  30. ^ "World Finance Sustainability Awards 2025". Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  31. ^ "Bora Pharmaceuticals collaborates with Taishin Holdings to launch CDMO investment and MA plan | Taiwan News | Dec. 9, 2021 12:04". taiwannews.com.tw. December 9, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  32. ^ "Advisory Board | College of Chemistry". chemistry.berkeley.edu. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  33. ^ "【財團法人臺北市保瑞盛維恩基金會】《家有青少年相談室》線上課程+個人回饋". 張老師文化 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  34. ^ "APARC Launches New Taiwan Program, Igniting Dialogue on Taiwan's Future". fsi.stanford.edu. May 6, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  35. ^ "中華民國製藥發展協會". www.cpmda.org.tw. Retrieved August 15, 2025.


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