Janssen Pharmaceutica to expand production of Sirturo in Russia
Janssen Pharmaceutica, which is part of US healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson, plans to increase production of its Sirturo (bedaquiline) – an anti-tuberculosis drug – in Russia, at the capacities of a local drugmaker Pharmstandard, according to recent statements of the companies, reports The Pharma Letter’s local correspondent.
The drug is already produced by Janssen in Russia and it is
planned that additional production capacities will be
established at the facilities of Russian drugmaker
Pharmstandard’s Ufa Vitamin Plant. The increase of
production will allow Janssen to significantly expand the
geography of supplies of Sirturo worldwide.
Details
of the contract are not disclosed.
Sirturo is used to
treat multidrug-resistant lung tuberculosis in adults. In 2012,
Pharmstandard obtained commercial rights for the drug in Russia,
some CIS countries, Eastern Europe and Asia: Janssen transferred
its technologies and know-how to the company for its production
in Russia. In 2013, Pharmstandard became a holder of a
registration certificate for Sirturo in Russia.
According
to an official representative of Johnson & Johnson
(J&J), Sirturo, in addition to Russia, has been produced at
several production sites in India.
“Expansion
of the partnership with Pharmstandard will help Johnson &
Johnson to provide additional supplies of the drug
worldwide,” according to Paul Stoffels, J&J's director
of research.
It is likely the new agreement will
allow Pharmstandard to utilize more capacity of the plant, and
therefore to reduce its cost, and in particular in the Russian
market. The reduction of the price will make the drug more
attractive for public procurements.
The volume of
investments in the project is not disclosed, however, according
to some sources close to the companies, it may vary in the range
of $30-$40 million.
Source:
The Pharma Letter
