- In 2012 Russian pharmaceutical company AKRIKHIN and global biopharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb celebrate 20 years of partnership for the licensed production of cardiovascular drugs in Russia.
- The partnership between AKRKHIN and Bristol-Myers Squibb resulted in a significant know-how and technology transfer and the creation of the first pharmaceutical production unit in Russia that meets international Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards.
- The 20 years old partnership between Bristol Myers Squibb and AKRKHIN sets a successful model for the development of a strong local pharmaceutical industry in line with the Russian government’s objectives.
The licensed partnership between AKRIKHIN and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company is the longest partnership project in the history of the Russian pharmaceutical industry. The partnership began in 1990 with the signing of a letter of intent, and as early as 1992 the first batch of medicines was manufactured.
Within the framework of the partnership, a new industrial unit for licensed production of cardiovascular drugs was built at the AKRIKHIN production site in Staraya Kupavna. This became the first production unit within Russian pharmaceutical industry that fully conformed to international Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) quality standards.
The unit was fitted out with modern production equipment and AKRIKHIN personnel received GMP training at Bristol-Myers Squibb international production sites. In 1999 AKRIKHIN received the GMP ЕС certificate for the industrial production of cardiovascular drugs.
The innovative drug Capoten® (INN – captopril) which was developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb and which initiated the era of ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors in cardiology, was selected for localization in Russia. In 1997 an additional production module for the production of Capozide® (INN – captropil + hydrochlorotiazide) became operational.
According to the partnership parties, the success of the 20 years’ cooperation is due to several factors including: correct choice for a medicine that met the Russian patients’ needs, implementing the latest technologies, maintaining the highest production standards, and providing strong training and knowledge transfer to the local staff.
In this respect the 20 year old partnership between Bristol-Myers Squibb and AKRIKHIN, serves as a perfect example for the successful implementation of the Russian government’s “Strategy of the development of the Russian pharmaceutical industry-2020”.
“At that time, the period of formation of the Russian pharmaceutical industry, the idea to consider the possibility of a licensed partnership in the country was truly revolutionary and can be said to have anticipated the localization vector in the" Strategy for the Russian Pharmaceutical Industry 2020”, says Sergey Tsyb, Director of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering Technology of Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation. – “At that time, close cooperation with innovative industry leaders was indispensable for both increasing the competitiveness of local manufacturers and providing access of Russian patients to modern drugs. After two decades, the relevance and the need for such partnership has not disappeared but rather has become even more apparent. And 20 years’ partnership between AKRIKHIN and Bristol-Myers Squibb on the production of important medicines, which are in demand by patients and the medical community, proves to this fact”.
Based on this mutual beneficial experience, both companies are exploring also other cooperation projects in Russia with the aim to comply with Russia’s 2020 strategy for the development of a strong local pharmaceutical industry.
About Capoten
Capoten®, being a key product manufactured under the partnership today, after the years of use in the clinical practice, is still in growing demand for the therapy of cardiovascular diseases. The relevance and social significance of the product cannot be overestimated. In Russia 40 million of patients live with hypertension. Each of them needs effective medication in the event of sharp blood pressure elevation. A hypertensive crisis can develop in any situation; therefore the patient living with hypertension should access to medicines capable of quick and safe blood pressure reduction. 13 ACE Inhibitors are available in the Russian market, and only Capoten® is indicated for emergency care at hypertensive crisis. This fact is reflected in clinical recommendations and standards. Furthermore, Capoten® is listed in the Recommendations for management of patients with arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease, and chronic heart failure.
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. Around the world, our medicines are helping millions of patients in their fight against such diseases as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS, psychiatric disorders and rheumatoid arthritis.
For more information about Bristol-Myers Squibb, visit www.bms.com
About AKRIKHIN
AKRIKHIN is one of the leading Russian pharmaceutical companies manufacturing high quality medicinal products, and one of the TOP 5 largest local pharmaceutical manufacturers in sales volume on the Russian pharmaceutical market.
AKRIKHIN was established in 1936. The product portfolio of the company includes over 150 medicines of the main pharmaceutical and therapeutic lines: cardiology, neurology, pediatrics, gynecology, dermatology, etc.
AKRIKHIN produces a wide range of socially significant medicines, being one of the largest Russian manufacturers of the products included in the List of Essential Medicines, and medicines against tuberculosis and diabetes.
Since 2007 Polpharma has been a strategic partner of AKRIKHIN on the Russian pharmaceutical market. Strategic partnership is based on close cooperation of the companies in the field of R&D, production and promotion of medicinal products. In 2011 Polpharma strengthened and extended the partnership by purchasing a majority stake in AKRIKHIN.
Based on the 2011 results AKRIKHIN ranked 2nd in “Rating of influence of Russian pharmaceutical market participants” (according to Pharmexpert data).