(Moscow, May 29, 2014) - Bristol-Myers Squibb and AKRIKHIN have signed an agreement on the localization of the production activities of Bristol-Myers Squibb innovative medicine to be completed at the AKRIKHIN's production facilities. The signed agreement is not the first cooperation experience of the two companies: since 1992 Bristol-Myers Squibb and AKRIKHIN have been partnering on production of cardiovascular products.
It is fundamentally important that the signed agreement includes the manufacturing localization of the innovative medicine which is a part of a new therapeutic class for the prevention and treatment of one of the most serious life-threatening disease in Russian healthcare. The innovative medicine which is to be localized in Russia has been granted market authorization in EU in 2012 and as early as in February 2013 was registered and launched in Russia.
Under the terms of the agreement, the production localization of the medicine at the AKRIKHIN production site in Moscow region will be implemented starting from the final manufacturing stages. The companies are considering the potential perspectives of expanding the scope of localization and in future do not exclude the possibility of expanding the list of innovative medicines for cooperation.
The new project is a logical continuation of a more than 20-year long licensing partnership between Bristol-Myers Squibb and AKRIKHIN on the production of cardiovascular products. The partnership began in 1992 and has been successfully going on till present time. It is the longest ongoing production partnership in the history of the Russian pharmaceutical industry. At the start, within the framework of the partnership, a new industrial facility for the production of cardiovascular medicines was built at AKRIKHIN’s manufacturing site, which was the first in the history of the Russian pharmaceutical industry to be compliant with the international quality standards (GMP). Throughout the duration of the partnership, AKRIKHIN’s capabilities to ensure the production of medicines in accordance with international quality standards have been repeatedly confirmed in quality audits carried out by Bristol-Myers Squibb at the AKRIKHIN facilities. This has become one of key decision-making factors on building on the partnership.
“The new partnership with Akrikhin which involves a truly innovative medicine is another example of our commitment to work in Russia, aligning with the strategic Russian government priorities. Bringing the latest generation innovative products to Russian patients and transferring some manufacturing stages to the territory of the Russian Federation – is a showcase of our comprehensive input to Russian healthcare and Russian pharma industry”, – Bristol-Myers Squibb General Manager Chris Stijnen commented on the agreement.
Additional information
About Bristol-Myers Squibb
Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail against serious diseases. For more information please visit our website www.b-ms.ru.
About AKRIKHIN
AKRIKHIN is one of the leading Russian pharmaceutical companies producing efficient, affordable, and high-quality medicines; it is among the top-10 largest local pharmaceutical manufacturers by sales in the Russian pharmaceutical market.
AKRIKHIN was founded in 1936. The Company's product portfolio includes more than 200 products (over 100 items) within the main therapeutic areas: cardiology, neurology, paediatrics, gynaecology, dermatology, urology, ophthalmology, etc. AKRIKHIN produces a wide range of socially important medications being one of the largest Russian producers of Essential Drugs, as well as drugs for diabetes and tuberculosis treatment.
Starting from 2007 Polpharma has been a strategic partner of AKRIKHIN on the Russian pharmaceutical market. The strategic partnership involves close cooperation of the companies in the field of research and development, production and promotion of medicines. In 2011, Polpharma strengthened and expanded the partnership acquiring a majority stake in AKRIKHIN Company.
AKRIKHIN was ranked 3rd in the rating of Influential Players of the Russian Pharmaceutical Market (according to the data of Pharmexpert for 2012).
Contacts for the media:
Akrikhin Company: Yulia Zaika, j.zaika@akrikhin.ru, contact phone: +7 916 839 95 71
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company: Anna Bagrova, anna.bagrova@bms.com, contact phone: +7 495 786 98 36