GSK and Binnopharm agree Russian vax manufacturing deal
Under the terms of the agreement, GSK will deliver bulk vaccine and supply technology and expertise to Binnopharm, which will carry out the secondary manufacture, including filling and packaging under international current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) standards.
The companies said the deal will enhance sales of the vaccines, which will be sold and branded under Binnopharm's trademark for the Russian market.
“This agreement is an example of the flexible approach we are taking to make innovative vaccines more available in emerging markets through local partnerships,” said Abbas Hussain, president, emerging markets & Asia Pacific at GSK.
“GSK has one of the broadest and fastest growing vaccines businesses in the world,” he added. “This alliance with Binnopharm should ensure that more of these innovative vaccines are made available in Russia to benefit public health.”
The vaccines include: Cervarix, which protects against HPV infections that cause cervical, head and neck cancers; Rotarix that protects against rotaviral gastroenteritis and diarrhoea; and Synflorix, which protects against Streptococcal pneumonia that can lead to illnesses such as pneumonia and meningitis.
The local manufacture of these vaccines should help Russia to modernise its National Immunisation Calendar in the future, adding additional vaccination against highly prevalent infections, said the two firms.
Revised pharma sector development strategy
The deal comes after the Russian government announced plans to boost local drug production, improve healthcare and modernise the pharmaceutical sector by encouraging international pharma companies to establish manufacturing units in the region.
As part of the strategy the state said it aims to raise local producers’ share of drug sales from 20 per cent to 50 per cent.
Furthermore, the government predicts total investment into the Russian pharma market will top 188bn roubles ($6bn) until 2020, including 120bn roubles in state funding.
Vince Cable, UK secretary of state for business innovation and skills, believes the deal between GSK and Binnopharm signifies “strong pharmaceutical links that the UK shares with Russia.
“Not only does this demonstrate trust between companies sharing their knowledge across borders, but ordinary [Russians] will see the benefits,” he added.
