Zydus and Pharm Aid tie up for vaccine technology for Russia

Cadila Healthcare Limited (Zydus Cadila), has entered into an exclusive agreement for the technical know-how for varicella vaccine production in the Russian Federation with Pharm Aid Ltd, headquartered in Russia. Pharm Aid Ltd, has been set up by Nacimbio together with Ishvan Pharmaceuticals Ltd, for the localisation of innovative vaccine production in Russia.

Pharm Aid Ltd was set up in May 2017 as a joint venture of Russian National Immunobiological Company (Nacimbio) that represents the pharmaceutical group of Rostec State Corporation and Ishvan Pharmaceutical Ltd from UAE in 51-49 ratio. The company aims to partner with leading global pharma companies and bring in affordable, innovative products and full-cycle technology to the Russian Federation in treatment areas of Vaccines, HIV, Hepatitis and Tuberculosis.

The exclusive agreement was signed at the BIOTECHMED conference in Gelendzhik, Russia.

"We welcome this opportunity to participate in and partner biotech opportunities in the Russian Federation market. In Pharm Aid and Nacimbio, we have found a reliable partner, representing one of the largest state corporations," said Sharvil Patel, managing director, Zydus Cadila.

Through this agreement, Zydus gains access to the public and private market segments in the Russian Federation, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. With an absence of assured supply of indigenously manufactured varicella vaccine, this vaccine does not feature currently in the National Immunisation Programme. The demand is estimated at three million doses per annum in the Russian Federation alone.

"Our partners are the leaders of the global biotech industry that supply their products to many countries. With the co-operation that will bring together partners' experience, our local manufacturing, distribution and managerial capabilities, we will be able to reduce prime cost of the purchased vaccines," said Kirill Ganin, director General of Pharm Aid Ltd.