Takeda Pharma considering expansion in Russia and other BRIC countries

Amid the falling dynamics in the European Union and the USA, Japan’s largest drugmaker Takeda Pharmaceutical (TYO: 4502) is considering a big expansion into the Russian pharmaceutical market, along with other BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) markets, in the coming years.

According to Yasutika Hasegawa, president and chief of Takeda, in the case of Russia the company plans to start production of the three most important drugs for the Russian market at its recently commissioned plant in Yaroslavl (The Pharma Letter September 11).

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Among the drugs which will be produced in Russia, are Actovegin (for the treatment of cerebral vascular disorders and stroke) Calcium-D3 (for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis) and cardiomagnyl (for the prevention of cardiovascular disease). All of these drugs were previously part of portfolio of Nycomed, the Swiss company which was recently acquired by Takeda (TPL May 19, 2011). In the future, the company will consider the possibility of expanding the Russian capacities, depending on market conditions.

According to Mr Hasegawa, the recent acquisition of Nycomed is expected to enable Takeda to start more active expansion in emerging markets, where the presence of the Japanese company has, until recently, was minimal (except China). 

According to Russian analysts, the Japanese company has traditionally had strong presence in Japan and the USA, but its EU business was significantly weaker. However, in recent years the company's priorities have changed, with a major focus paid for the development in BRIC countries, which currently account over 60% of global economic growth. It was Nycomed’s exposure in BRIC markets that was the main attraction for its acquisition by the Japanese firm. As well as Russia, Nycomed has significant operations in Brazil and India.