Healthcare

Strengthening local respiratory care capabilities

Sunshine Healthcare’s pharmaceutical manufacturing operations are carried out through two fully owned subsidiaries Lina Manufacturing and Lina Spiro which function in tandem as a single integrated unit under Sunshine Holdings PLC.

Established in 2011, Lina Manufacturing has carved a niche in respiratory therapeutics, operating six dedicated manufacturing lines for Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs), Dry Powder Inhaled capsules (DPIs), tablets, nasal sprays, creams, and medical devices. As Sri Lanka’s sole manufacturer of MDIs, Lina holds a strategic monopoly in this critical segment, fulfilling nearly 100% of the government’s demand for MDIs underscoring its vital role in the national healthcare landscape.

In December 2020, Sunshine Healthcare acquired Lina Manufacturing following its merger with Akbar Pharmaceuticals. This strategic move positioned Sunshine as Sri Lanka’s first fully integrated healthcare company, covering the entire pharmaceutical value chain: research and development (R&D), manufacturing, imports, distribution, and retail. The acquisition also significantly expanded Lina’s production capacity in alignment with Sunshine’s long-term healthcare growth agenda.

Backed by over a decade of operational excellence, Lina has become a trusted supplier of respiratory products to both public and private sector institutions. Continued investment in R&D has enabled the development of a diverse, innovation-led product portfolio that addresses the growing demand for advanced respiratory solutions.

Lina’s six primary product lines include:

• MDIs: Exclusively supplied to the state sector, ensuring nationwide respiratory therapy access
• DPIs: Patented inhalers designed for asthma and chronic respiratory conditions
• Dry Powder Capsules: Administered via inhalation devices for targeted respiratory medication delivery
• Nasal Sprays: Widely used by ENT specialists and GPs for managing nasal congestion and other respiratory ailments
• Medical Devices: Inhalation devices engineered to optimise DPI therapy and enhance patient adherence
• Creams: Including topical treatments such as Winterpan, supporting respiratory symptom relief and dermatological care

Product diversification and capacity expansion have long been strategic priorities for Lina. These efforts, supported by investments in automation and continuous line upgrades, have enabled the Company to consistently double output and meet rising national demand.

In addition to its core portfolio, Lina has successfully ventured into contract manufacturing by leveraging its Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO) capabilities. Through partnerships with international pharmaceutical leaders such as Zydus Cadila (India) and Kalbe Pharmaceuticals (Indonesia), Lina has further broadened its regional footprint and manufacturing expertise.

The 2024–25 financial year marked a period of both consolidation and expansion for Lina Manufacturing and Lina Spiro. The commissioning of a second MDI production line, coupled with advanced automation integration, resulted in a doubling of production capacity, enabling the business to fully meet the government’s annual requirement of approximately three million MDI units.

While government procurement remained the primary revenue driver, Lina strategically entered the underpenetrated private respiratory care market during the year. Specialised marketing and medical representative teams were deployed to build visibility and foster uptake. These efforts translated into a notable increase in private sector market share, a milestone in the Company’s broader strategy to diversify revenue streams and reduce reliance on state-sector demand.

Internationally, Lina strengthened its CDMO partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies, including Zydus Cadila and Kalbe Pharmaceuticals. These collaborations underscore Lina’s growing reputation as a trusted regional partner for high-quality respiratory product manufacturing.

Operationally, Lina sustained the production of its core respiratory lines including nasal sprays, creams, and DPI capsules while maintaining a sharp R&D focus on formulation enhancements and manufacturing efficiency. Investment in automation and sustainable practices helped mitigate the impact of volatile exchange rates and regulatory price controls, while also supporting cost optimisation.

Human capital remained a key enabler of success. Targeted talent retention initiatives and structured career development programs helped stabilise the workforce during peak operational periods.

Financially, Lina delivered strong performance, driven by expanded capacity, stable public sector demand, and internal efficiency gains. Looking ahead, the planned amalgamation of Lina Manufacturing and Lina Spiro in FY 2025–26 is expected to streamline operations further and enhance the strategic business unit’s (SBU’s) competitiveness.