Read the Conversation
Meeting Highlights:
- From Family Roots to Market Leadership: Grupo Zeyco, founded by a dentist and his brothers, transitioned from local dental alloy production to dominating the Mexican dental anesthetics market through a focus on quality, accessibility, and reinvestment.
- Global Expansion Strategy: The company actively targets international markets in Latin America, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East, leveraging Mexico's PIC/S inclusion and striving for FDA and European standards.
- Emphasis on Quality and Trust: Zeyco prioritizes quality, transparency, and ethical business practices, fostering strong partnerships with global companies and positioning itself as a reliable contract manufacturing organization (CMO).
- Talent and Innovation-Driven Growth: The company values its employees, invests in R&D, and embraces digitalization and AI to enhance operations and expand beyond dental anesthetics into broader pharmaceutical manufacturing.
- Vision for Mexico as a Pharmaceutical Hub: Zeyco aims to strengthen Mexico's role as a trusted global pharmaceutical manufacturing partner, capitalizing on nearshoring opportunities and expanding its presence in retail pharmacies and the wider healthcare sector.
EF: How did Grupo Zeyco become a leader in the dental market? What key factors contributed to its growth?
AZ: Grupo Zeyco was founded by my uncle, Jorge Zepeda, a dentist in the late 1970s who saw the need for high-quality, accessible dental materials in Mexico. He brought together his brothers, whose expertise ranged from chemical engineering to business administration, and they started producing dental alloys on the rooftop of his apartment. Recognizing the potential impact of manufacturing, he shifted from practicing dentistry to supplying his peers.
Rooted in family values, particularly the Latin principle Ora et Labora (Pray and Work), Zeyco expanded into distributing dental products across Mexico. A major milestone was acquiring a small dental anesthetics lab in Mexico City, marking our transition from distribution to pharmaceutical manufacturing.
For over 45 years, we have focused on making dental anesthetics more accessible. Today, we lead the Mexican market, with over 80% of dentists using our products. We produce about 70 million injection doses annually, with an installed capacity of 100 million, and we are expanding to reach the capacity to manufacture an additional 100 million doses for a total of 200 million annual cartridges.
One of our key innovations was stabilizing dental anaesthetics in polypropylene cartridges, replacing the expensive and fragile glass standard- this improved affordability and accessibility, particularly for dentists in Mexico and emerging markets.
Through continuous reinvestment, a commitment to quality, collaboration with universities, and close engagement with key industry players, Zeyco has grown into a strong, family-driven pharmaceutical company while staying true to its core values.
EF: What is your growth strategy? Which new markets are you targeting, and how do you balance cost and accessibility?
AZ: We reinvest nearly all profits into the company, growing sustainably without external capital. Since 2006, we have focused on infrastructure, talent, and equipment to transition from a local to a global player.
Initially, our priority was meeting Mexican demand. Now, with expanded facilities, we are proactively entering international markets, particularly in Latin America, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East—regions that need affordable dental anesthetics. We participate in key industry exhibitions in Germany, Shanghai, Dubai, Singapore, and Brazil and maintain a strong regulatory affairs team to navigate diverse market requirements.
Mexico’s inclusion in the Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PIC/S) has opened doors to regulated markets, pushing us to enhance quality control, computational validation, and regulatory compliance. Our goal is to meet FDA and European standards through investments in infrastructure, documentation, and good manufacturing practices (GMP).
While pharmaceutical demand and contract manufacturing present opportunities, we prioritize sustainable expansion. Competing solely on price is challenging, especially with low-cost manufacturers from India and Pakistan. Instead, we focus on building a strong global brand based on quality and reliability.
Establishing Mexico as a pharmaceutical hub for injectables is a priority. Traditionally, trust in manufacturing has been tied to Europe and the U.S., but we are proving that Mexico can produce high-quality pharmaceuticals. With our output set to scale from 70 million to 200 million injections annually, we remain committed to maintaining quality and trust.
We recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Rx Bandz to fill and distribute Rx Bandz’s epinephrine auto-injector throughout our markets in Mexico, Central and South America, where there are currently no emergency epinephrine auto-injectors available for public use. It is crucial to make these devices accessible to individuals with allergies, ensuring that situations of anaphylactic shock, which can be life-threatening, are safer to manage. We are proud to partner with Rx Bandz, leveraging our 45 years of expertise in manufacturing sterile injectable drugs with epinephrine-filled cartridges. Together, we support their vital mission of developing accessible emergency devices that offer convenient, life-saving treatment options—enhancing safety and health in everyday life.
EF: How do you plan to expand into other European markets? How do you position Zeyco as the preferred partner in your industry?
AZ: Our reputation as a trusted Mexican company stems from strict adherence to quality standards and transparency. We do not cut corners and take a formal, ethical approach to business. Our success is built on trust, transparency, and execution. We do not overpromise; we deliver with excellence. This approach continues to attract strong opportunities.
We collaborate with major companies like DMG in Germany and Henry Schein, the world’s largest dental company, leveraging long-term relationships. Our foundation's mission extends beyond business, focusing on improving opportunities in Mexico, combating poverty, and fostering integrity, making us an attractive partner for global firms.
Beyond distribution, we engage in contract manufacturing of drugs (Rx and OTC) and medical devices. These partnerships reflect trust in our capabilities, infrastructure, and regulatory compliance. We hold FDA inspection approval for the manufacture of OTC drugs and are working on obtaining approval for the manufacture of Rx drugs and steriles soon, making us an attractive partner for international companies looking to manufacture in Mexico. Our investments position Zeyco as a reliable contract manufacturing organization (CMO) for Mexico and regions where we have GMP recognition, including the U.S., enabling nearshoring opportunities.
While dental anesthetic cartridges remain our core product, they are price-sensitive. In contrast, specialized injectables like emergency auto-injectors and pen injectors offer higher value. We are balancing our portfolio to address both segments and working on adding new presentations to our manufacturing lines, such as vials for both Zeyco products and CMO projects.
Fewer players invest in dental anesthetics due to lower margins. Zeyco remains the only manufacturer in Mexico and one of the few globally with a dedicated lab for these products. However, we are not limiting ourselves to dentistry. We are investing significantly in broader pharmaceutical R&D and manufacturing, strengthening our reputation and industry presence. Our partnerships with U.S. and European firms seeking co-development opportunities reinforce our long-term strategy. Beyond CMO services, we are co-developing generics, further positioning Zeyco as a leader in pharmaceutical innovation.
EF: What message do you have for your employees after everything you've achieved? What is your long-term vision for Zeyco, and where do you see the company in the next five to ten years?
AZ: Our message to employees is simple: talent is the foundation of Zeyco’s success. We would not be where we are today without the dedication of those who have trusted us and believed in our leadership.
As a mid-sized pharmaceutical company competing with both global giants and national players, talent retention is a challenge. However, we set ourselves apart by prioritizing our people, valuing their well-being, and fostering a balance between work, family, and personal life. This people-first culture makes Zeyco a top choice for professionals in Mexico’s pharmaceutical industry.
In the next five years, our focus is on implementation, validation, and obtaining FDA approval for our manufacturing facility for injectables and non-sterile drugs. We are also strengthening our R&D capabilities by investing in advanced software and top talent.
Beyond our leadership in the dental market, we are expanding into the broader medical sector, supplying hospitals and pharmacies with a wider range of pharmaceuticals. We also see a major opportunity in building the Zeyco brand in retail pharmacies. While we are well-known among dental professionals, we aim to establish the same recognition in the wider healthcare medical market, including Rx medicines, OTC products, and personal care items.
Over the next decade, our enhanced manufacturing capabilities will drive expansion into new markets, particularly the U.S. and Europe. Strategic partnerships will be crucial in positioning Zeyco as a trusted name beyond dentistry. Our goal is to make Zeyco products widely accessible in pharmacies, reaching a broader audience and solidifying our place in the healthcare sector.
EF: How do you see digitalization and AI shaping the future of healthcare? How is Zeyco adapting to the advancements?
AZ: Digitalization has been a priority for us, forming the backbone of our data integrity, serialization, and quality systems. This foundation is essential for regulatory compliance and market expansion.
We have made significant investments in ERP, LIMS, QMS, and other AIMS-based software to digitalize our quality management and quality control laboratory information systems. These upgrades have enhanced our operations, improving reliability, transparency, and regulatory readiness. The next step is to finish validating our computational systems, a growing necessity for pharmaceutical companies in Mexico. We have identified key areas for improvement in meeting new data integrity guidelines and are investing heavily to bridge these higher standards.
Beyond compliance, we are gradually incorporating AI into our daily operations. We have integrated Microsoft Copilot to enhance meetings and collaboration, while Power BI and other AI-driven tools are helping us organize information and improve decision-making. As we continue our digital transformation, we’re committed to leveraging AI to optimize strategies and drive long-term growth. There is still much to explore, and we are just beginning to unlock the full potential of these technologies.
EF: What message would you like to share with the sector? What do you hope the industry, particularly in Mexico, can achieve?
AZ: First and foremost, I want to congratulate the Mexican pharmaceutical sector for building a strong manufacturing base that has significantly improved access to medicines across the country.
The next step—one we have been actively working on alongside regulatory authorities—is positioning Mexico as a trusted pharmaceutical manufacturing partner, not just for the local market but also for global exports.
One of our biggest challenges is overcoming outdated perceptions that Mexico and Latin America produce lower-quality pharmaceuticals. Achieving the highest standards, particularly in manufacturing sterile injectables, is difficult, but we are committed to setting and surpassing these benchmarks.
In my 19 years in the industry and in Zeyco’s 45-year history, I have seen firsthand the relentless effort invested in upholding quality, making strategic investments, and cultivating top-tier talent. This work should not go unnoticed. We must continue strengthening Mexico’s role as a reliable and competitive pharmaceutical manufacturing hub.
We often underestimate our readiness to explore new opportunities and enter new markets. However, as Zeyco’s experience has shown, taking that first step—attending international exhibitions, engaging with new regulatory authorities, and submitting the right documentation—can lead to remarkable progress. The key is to keep evolving, stay ambitious, and push forward. Many pharmaceutical companies in Mexico undervalue their potential, but the reality is that the world is looking to us.
The global market—especially the U.S.—is opening its doors and actively seeking Mexico’s participation. We have held conversations in Washington D.C. with the Mexican Association of Pharmaceutical Laboratories (AMELAF) alongside the U.S. Department of State, Department of Commerce, FDA, and USP, confirming that there is strong momentum for strengthening the U.S.-Mexico pharmaceutical supply chain to help overcome drug shortages. Top priorities are nearshoring the manufacture of generic drugs and APIs and building a more resilient ecosystem.
The message is clear: we have the foundation, infrastructure, and expertise to meet this challenge. Now, we must seize the opportunity to make Mexico a global leader in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
