Pfizer and NovaMedica Complete Strategic Partnership Agreement for the Technology Transfer of 30 Key Medicines

Moscow, Dec 23, 2016 – Pfizer Inc, one of the world’s premier biopharmaceutical companies and NovaMedica, a Russian pharmaceutical company established by Rusnano and Domain Associates, have completed the last stage of negotiations for a long-term strategic partnership designed to transfer the rights and technologies for the production of more than 30 life-saving and essential drugs from the Pfizer product portfolio. The deal will enable Pfizer and NovaMedica to improve the health of patients in Russia and modernize the Russian pharmaceutical industry.

As announced in July this year, under the terms of the partnership, Pfizer will invest in NovaMedica and collaborate on the construction of a state-of-the-art aseptic manufacturing facility in the province of Kaluga. The facility is intended to be built in accordance with the highest world-class and current Good Manufacturing Practices standards and requirements of the Russian authorities, which would potentially enable NovaMedica to manufacture for export markets.

As part of the agreement, Pfizer will also transfer technologies for more than 30 sterile injectable products to NovaMedica to enable NovaMedica to manufacture these products. These products, to be manufactured at the new facility, include drugs for the treatment of severe bacterial and fungal infections, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory diseases and cancer. Most of these International Nonproprietary Names (INNs) are on the Russia`s Essential Drugs List (EDL) and several are also included in the federal reimbursement programs Population Drug Coverage (ONLS) and 7 Nosologies (7N).

The drugs will be manufactured using world-class technologies including lyophilization and production of sterile emulsions. The state-of-the-art equipment to be installed at the facility will include full process automation to provide for the required aseptic manufacturing environment.

The new facility will be located in the Vorsino Industrial Park, province of Kaluga. Construction/ground breaking is expected to commence in mid-2017. 

Petra Danielsohn-Weil, Regional President of Europe, Pfizer Essential Health Business:

“Since 1992, Pfizer has had a strong presence in the Russian market, working with government, patients, industry and scientific organizations to modernize the pharmaceutical industry in Russia by encouraging innovation and improving the local technological and manufacturing standards and capabilities. We are excited about this partnership and look forward to playing our role to ensure Russian patients have access to life saving and essential drugs which will help improve the quality and care of patients.”

Mike McDermott, Vice President, Global Supply Chain, Pfizer Essential Health: 

“The construction of this facility allows us to share our expertise to help develop local manufacturing expertise and capabilities through the rapid introduction of high quality, complex medicines and cutting edge manufacturing technologies.  It will provide Russian patients with a reliable supply of locally manufactured essential medicines that can help improve their quality of life.”

Anatoly Chubais, Chairman of Executive Board of the Asset Management Company RUSNANO, Chairman of the Board of Directors of NovaMedica:

“NovaMedica’s manufacturing facility will produce advanced socially important medicines. Almost all upcoming products have been included in the Essential Drugs List and one third of them are currently not manufactured in Russia.  These drugs are in high demand and will save lives of our people in hospitals across the country on a daily basis. The launch of the new manufacturing facility in Russia will allow us to make these advanced high-quality treatments much more accessible to patients.”

Tatiana Saribekian, Chief Executive Officer of Domain Russia Investments and a member of the NovaMedica Board of Directors:

"Since Domain and Rusnano established NovaMedica in 2012, we have grown the company into a premier Russian pharmaceutical company focused on innovative new products. The recent agreement completed with Pfizer will bring NovaMedica to the next level, spurring the construction of the company's own world-class facility and bringing an exciting new line of hospital products that will be manufactured and sold by NovaMedica.”

About Pfizer

At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products. Our global portfolio includes medicines and vaccines as well as many of the world's best-known consumer health care products. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world's premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand 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. For more information, please visit us at www.pfizer.com. 

About NovaMedica

NovaMedica is a modern Russian pharmaceutical company established in 2012 by leading U.S. venture capital firm Domain Associates LLC and RUSNANO, an investment fund that implements state policy for the development of Russia’s high-technology industries. NovaMedica has developed a well-established infrastructure to promote and sell pharmaceutical products in the Russian market. Its portfolio currently includes 25 products in ophthalmology and gastroenterology. NovaMedica's strategy is focused on the search, registration and localization in Russia of innovative pharmaceutical products and technologies, as well as the development of the company’s own research and development activities and the establishment of a GMP-compliant pharmaceutical production facility in Russia. NovaMedica is currently building a Technology Center in Moscow that will include R&D laboratories and production facilities for advanced technologies previously unavailable on the Russian pharmaceutical market. Learn more about NovaMedica at www.novamedica.com