The joint-venture (JV), which was announced last October , sees Quintiles team up with Egypt’s Kare Pharma International (HKPI), and Ramco Import and Export to create a contract marketing organization.

And, while the precise details of collaboration have not been disclosed, it is understood that Quintiles will bolster Ramco’s 40-strong sales team with marketing capabilities developed by its global teams.

Local Knowledge

The Egyptian partnership model is similar to the one Quintiles uses in neighbouring Turkey where it operates a joint venture with a leading local company, Bell Holding.

The local knowledge that its partners provide is key according to Quintiles’ VP, product development and commercialization Jim Featherstone who told Outsourcing-pharma.com why the firm opted for the collaborative approach.

“We already have an established clinical business in both Egypt and Turkey, which provides us with insight and experience of the country and its legislative processes.

“However we believe that we can provide the best solutions for our customers, both within Egypt and for global biopharma customer wanting to enter these markets by partnering with best in class, local companies that have intimate knowledge, experience and expertise in delivering commercial solutions locally.”

Featherstone went on to say that both countries are a huge opportunity for pharma, explaining that: “Turkey and Egypt are growing at more than 12 per cent per annum with…. a greater focus on improving healthcare.”