GlaxoSmithKline and JSC Binnopharm enter vaccine production alliance in Russia

WorldPharma News

August 19, 2004

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and JSC Binnopharm (Binnopharm) announced an alliance to enable the local secondary manufacture of a number of GSK vaccines in Russia. The agreement was signed in Moscow during the session of the Russian-British Intergovernmental Steering Committee (ISC) for Trade and Investment.

Under this alliance, GSK will supply bulk vaccine and provide technology and expertise to enable Binnopharm to undertake the secondary manufacture, including filling and packaging of a number of innovative GSK vaccines in accordance with international current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) standards. Binnopharm will be responsible for gaining approval of their facilities to allow supply of GSK cervical cancer, rotavirus and pneumococcal vaccines under Binnopharm’s trademark for the Russian public market.

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 such as human papillomavirus (HPV), rotavirus and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

GSK will book sales of the bulk vaccine supplied to Binnopharm through this alliance. No further financial details of the agreement have been disclosed.

Commenting on the agreement, Abbas Hussain, President, Emerging Markets & Asia Pacific, GSK said, “This agreement is an example of the flexible approach we are taking to make innovative vaccines more available in emerging markets through local partnerships. GSK has one of the broadest and fastest growing vaccines businesses in the world. This alliance with Binnopharm should ensure that more of these innovative vaccines are made available in Russia to benefit public health.”

Maxim Uvarov, General Manager, Binnopharm said: “The prompt implementation of this joint project between Binnopharm and GSK is a testament to the continued investment in our existing facilities and the quality of the Russian staff and management who have worked efficiently to create an international and innovative business partnership. Our aim through signing this partnership agreement is to create a leading biotechnology company in Russia.”

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