May & Baker's enhanced research capabilities, technology expertise and the improvement of its development process are key to its research and development objectives.  In May & Baker a key objective is to search for and find remedies for many unresolved local ailments.

The company's research and development focus is also targeted at developing products that make dosage compliance more convenient.  Its 2-2-1 Forte brand of Chloroquine Sulphate, easadol brand of paracetamol, MalACT brand of Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT) and Thiapril are recent direct products of this research and development strategy.

When the company was established in 1944, it sold human pharmaceuticals; laboratory and photographic chemicals and horticultural and veterinary products. Some of its early products include Quinacrine (Anti-malarial), Gonazole (anti-biotic), Soneryl (sedative), Ephedrine, Suylphonamides, Nivaquine (anti-malarial) and Rovamycine (then a veterinary product).

Having climbed to pre-eminence on the back of well-known anti-malarial drugs (the Nivaquine range) and Sulphonamides, the company has since taken leadership positions in the biological (Vaccines), Oncology (Cancer drugs) and the Anti-infective markets and is achieving a steady growth in her share of the Analgesics and anti-hypertensives markets.

In 1992 the company re-organised its business to concentrate on human pharmaceutical and human vaccines. In 2001 it diversified into consumer products with the introduction of Lily Table Water and in 2006 joined the lucrative foods business with the construction of an ultra-modern pasta food-processing factory in Ota, Ogun state. The factory produces Mimee, Nigeria finest brand of noodles.