Pfizer and NPO Petrovax Pharm to jointly manufacture a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
The cooperation of Pfizer and NPO Petrovax Pharm will help further develop Russian manufacturers’ technologies and increase the availability of preventive vaccinations against dangerous diseases for Russian children.
Moscow, 10 March 2011: Today Pfizer announced an agreement with Russian biopharmaceutical company Petrovax Pharm to manufacture Pfizer’s innovative pneumococcal vaccine at Petrovax’s cutting-edge facilities in the Moscow Region.
This joint step with NPO Petrovax Pharm will facilitate the transfer of full-cycle production technologies compliant with the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, and in line with the path laid out in the Development Strategy for Pharmaceutical Industry of the Russian Federation for the period until 2020 (Pharma-2020 Strategy). The agreement will also enable the two companies to explore future opportunities to export the vaccine to CIS or other countries.
The pneumococcal vaccine to be manufactured in Russia under the agreement is used in the EU countries for the active immunisation of infants and children aged 6 weeks to 5 years. The vaccine prevents invasive pneumococcal diseases (meningitis, sepsis, bacteremic pneumonia), as well as pneumonia and acute otitis caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium (pneumococcus).
"Pfizer is deeply committed to the Russian market and willing to share its experience, knowledge and skills to make the major products of our innovative drugs portfolio more affordable and available in Russia. This project is the first example of Pfizer’s joint effort with its Russian partners, and, hopefully, represents a solid foundation for the future growth," said David Simmons, president and general manager of the company (emerging markets and established products).
"We have been exploring other opportunities of partnership with NPO Petrovax Pharm, and are actively seeking cooperation with Russia’s other innovative pharmaceutical companies, as well as with the Russian Government. We want to do this in a way which best meets the aims and priorities of the federal healthcare policy and, most importantly, which brings the latest advances in medical science to the Russian people," said Allan Gabor, regional president of North Asia, emerging markets business unit of Pfizer, at the signing ceremony.
"No progress in medicine is possible without the close cooperation of the government, and the scientific and business communities. We are happy to embark on a joint project with one of the world’s largest biopharmaceutical companies. We believe that this partnership will enhance our knowledge of vaccine production technologies and our potential for creating a vaccine to prevent diseases potentially lethal to children," pointed out Arkady Nekrasov, general manager of NPO Petrovax Pharm.
The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
***About Pfizer: Working Together for a Healthier World®
Pfizer are committed to using our innovations and global resources to improve health and well-being at every stage of life. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacturing of medicines for people and animals. Our diversified global health care portfolio includes human and animal biologic and micro-molecular medicines and vaccines, as well as nutritional products and many of the world's best-known consumer products.
Every day, Pfizer works across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Upholding our responsibility as the world's leading biopharmaceutical company, we also collaborate with healthcare providers, governments and local communities to support and improve access to reliable, affordable health care around the world.
For more than 150 years, Pfizer has worked to make a difference for all who rely on us.
Pfizer has worked on the Russian market since 1992.
For more information, go to: www.pfizer.com and www.pfizer.ru.
About NPO Petrovax Pharm: Medicines of the Future, Today
Founded in 1996, NPO Petrovax Pharm is a Russian company engaged in researching, developing, and producing innovative pharmaceutical products.
We aim to create, produce and promote original medicines across the national healthcare system by through extensive R&D.
We only carry the most innovative medicines and vaccines in our product portfolio, with successful sales across Russia, the CIS and the EU.
Petrovax has three manufacturing facilities located in Moscow and the Moscow Region. The facilities, built and operating in compliance with the international standards GMP EU and ISO:9001, are equipped with the latest equipment for medicine and vaccine manufacturing and quality control. Our new pharmaceutical production and warehousing complex in Pokrov (Moscow Region, Podolsk District) is among Russia’s most advanced bio-pharmaceutical facilities, focusing on the production of vaccines and other immunobiologicals in single-dose syringes and other versions.
NPO Petrovax Pharm employs approximately 500 highly-skilled professionals, offering them regular professional training and assessment to maintain the company’s competitive edge and strong market position.
A member of the Association of the Russian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (ARPM) since 2008, NPO Petrovax Pharm has been committed to fostering sound business practices in the national pharmaceutical market, aiming to make a difference to the Russian economy.
