BRIC Retains Pharma Investments
Emerging markets continue to attract the attention of pharmaceutical companies thanks to their high growth and large patient
populations. Back in 2001, the locations of focus were the so-called 'BRIC' countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China). Now,
even with other markets gaining traction such as Turkey and Indonesia, recent announcements show that the original BRIC countries
still retain favour with the pharmaceutical industry.
Brazil
Into which pharmerging market — aside from China and India — is your company most interested in expanding manufacturing operations?
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A recent poll on http://PharmTech.com/ asked which countries, aside from China and India, pharmaceutical companies were most interested in expanding business operations
into (see below). The clear favourite, chosen by 36% of respondents, was Brazil, followed by Other (19%) and Russia (14%).
Other announcements also suggest that Brazil continues to be an important pharmaceutical market. In July, Quintiles, a US-based
contract services provider, opened its Global Commercial Solutions business in Brazil. The business offers customised sales
forces, market penetration strategies and product solutions. In addition, the company has recently announced expansions in
Russia, and the Middle East and North Africa region.
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International has also invested in Brazil this year. In March, the company acquired a 19.9% minority
equity investment in the research company Pele Nova Biotecnologia, which focuses on tissue regeneration.
Russia
Abbott Laboratories signed an agreement in July for several R&D projects in Russia with the country's ChemDiv Research Institute
(CDRI). The two parties will be principally be concentrating on improving formulations of Abbott's existing drugs.
Pfizer has also been looking to Russia for R&D projects. In July, the company granted exclusive development and marketing
rights to SatRx for their DPP(1)-IVi compound, which is being investigated as a potential treatment for type 2 diabetes.
Novo Nordisk announced in April that it had started work on its new $100-million plant in Russia. The facility, located in
Grabtsevo Technopark will formulate and fill insulin into the company's Penfill and FlexPen systems for the Rusian market.
India
In August, Mylan announced that its subsidiary Mylan Pharmaceuticals Private has commenced commercial operations in India,
beginning with the launch of a portfolio of 18 antiretroviral products for the treatment of HIV/AIDS. The company added that
it will be looking to expand operations into the country with additional therapeutic categories.
Also in August, the Indian pharmaceutical company Cipla announced that it would be investing in India by building facilities
dedicated to active pharmaceutical ingredients in Patalganga, Bengaluru and Kurkumbh. The facilities are expected to be completed
in 2012–2013.
China
In August, Covidein announced the opening of its China Technology Center Research and Development facility in Shanghai. Covidien
plans to invest up to $45 million over a three-year period into the centre. The facility includes laboratories, as well as
a simulation suite that enables healthcare professionals to be involved in the medical device design and development process.
In June, Eli Lilly said it would increase its equity in the Chinese drug-manufacturing company, Novast, by $20 million. Novast
will use the investment to establish a platform that will support Eli Lilly's branded generic-drug products and increase the
manufacturing capacity at its Nantong site over the next several years.
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