Quick Facts
| CAS Number | 7179-49-9 (HCl) / 154-21-2 (Base) |
|---|---|
| Molecular Formula | C18H37ClN2O7S |
| Molecular Weight | 442 |
| Pharmacopoeia | USP/ EP/ CEP/IN HOUSE |
| Packaging | 25 KG/DRUM |
Product Overview
Lincomycin was discovered in 1962 by Upjohn Company scientists Mason, Dietz, and DeBoer from a soil sample collected near Lincoln, Nebraska — hence the name "Streptomyces lincolnensis" for the producing organism and "lincomycin" itself. It is the founding member of the lincosamide antibiotic class, which binds to the 50S ribosomal subunit at the peptidyl transferase center, blocking peptide bond formation and inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. Unlike most other ribosomal-targeting antibiotics, lincosamides also exhibit activity against obligate anaerobes — a critically important feature for treating necrotic enteritis and swine dysentery.
In modern veterinary practice, lincomycin occupies a unique niche: it is one of the very few antibiotics effective against Brachyspira hyodysenteriae, the causative agent of swine dysentery, and against Clostridium perfringens in broilers. Its ability to concentrate in bone tissue — achieving levels 2-3 times plasma concentration — makes it the preferred lincosamide for osteomyelitis in companion animals. The 7-chloro derivative clindamycin offers higher in vitro potency, but lincomycin's superior bone pharmacokinetics and water-solubility for mass poultry medication preserve its ongoing role in veterinary medicine.
The spectinomycin + lincomycin fixed-dose combination, sold internationally as Lincospectin and in China as 禽利高 (Qinligao), is one of the most commercially successful veterinary antibiotic combinations in history. Lincomycin's Gram-positive and anaerobic coverage pairs with spectinomycin's Gram-negative and Mycoplasma spectrum to create a product effective against all major bacterial and mycoplasmal pathogens in poultry and swine. This combination, approved under FDA ANADA #200-407, is supplied by KingWish to veterinary formulations manufacturers across Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East.
As of mid-2026, the global lincomycin market is supported by sustained demand from poultry-producing countries where necrotic enteritis remains a top-tier economic disease, and from the swine sector in Southeast Asia, where Brachyspira dysentery persists as a production-limiting disease. China dominates global lincomycin API fermentation, with production concentrated in Hebei and Shandong provinces. KingWish supplies GMP-certified lincomycin HCl meeting USP, EP, and CEP monographs — the triple-standard compliance that distinguishes Tier-1 suppliers from commodity producers.
Quality Specifications
| Lincomycin A Content (HPLC) | ≥ 80.0% of total lincomycin activity (USP specification) |
|---|---|
| Lincomycin B Content | Controlled as a minor component per USP/EP monograph; ratio A:B is a critical quality indicator |
| Water Content (Karl Fischer) | 3.0% – 6.0% (monohydrate specification) |
| Residual Solvents | Acetone ≤ 5,000 ppm; butanol ≤ 5,000 ppm per ICH Q3C |
| Heavy Metals | ≤ 20 ppm |
| GMP Status | Manufactured under ICH Q7 GMP conditions |
| Regulatory Filings | CEP available for EU/EEA market registration |
Veterinary Applications
Feed-Grade Premix (Swine)
Lincomycin 110-220 g/ton complete feed for 21 days for swine dysentery control. Also used at 44 g/ton for growth promotion in grower-finisher pigs (markets permitting).
Soluble Powder (Poultry)
Lincomycin 20 g + Spectinomycin 40 g per 100 g powder. Drinking water at 0.5-0.8 g/L for 3-5 days for CRD and secondary E. coli infections in broilers and layers.
Therapeutic Areas
- Poultry: Necrotic enteritis (C. perfringens), mycoplasmosis, combination CRD therapy with spectinomycin
- Swine: Swine dysentery (B. hyodysenteriae), mycoplasmal pneumonia, ileitis
- Companion Animals: Osteomyelitis, soft tissue infections, dental infections
Sourcing Lincomycin HCl: Key Checks
Documentation
Always request the CoA with full HPLC chromatogram — confirm lincomycin A dominance and controlled lincomycin B levels. For EU-bound shipments, verify the CEP is active. Request residual solvent analysis for acetone and butanol, which are common fermentation residuals.
Red Flags
Abnormally high lincomycin B peaks on HPLC (>5% of total), moisture content outside 3-6% range, reluctance to share batch-specific CoA before order, and prices significantly below market range — lincomycin fermentation is well-established and market pricing is relatively stable.
Packaging & Logistics
Standard: 25 KG/DRUM. Custom packaging available. Store at room temperature (15-30°C), protected from moisture. Standard lead time 4-8 weeks. Lincomycin HCl is hygroscopic — verify drum integrity upon receipt.
Market Context
Global lincomycin market is driven by sustained demand for necrotic enteritis control in poultry and swine dysentery treatment. China dominates API fermentation (>80% global supply). Triple-standard suppliers (USP + EP + CEP) differentiate from commodity-grade producers. Market report