sanofi-aventis Plans Participation in Russian Pharmaceutical Project

sanofi-aventis (Paris) announced last week that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Prominvest, a fully owned subsidiary of the Russian state corporation Rostekhnologii, confirming its intent to participate in the Pharmpolis Project. The Pharmpolis Project is part of an overall effort by the Russian government to localize innovator-drug manufacturers in Russia, to attract high technology platforms, and to provide manufacturers with sufficient resources, an effective business environment, and a supplier network to foster the expansion of the country’s pharmaceutical market.

The MoU was signed by Mikhail Shelkov, general director of LLC Prominvest, and Christopher A. Viehbacher, chief executive officer of sanofi-aventis. They signed the MoU during the recent Franco–Russian Intergovernmental Seminar held in Rambouillet, France, outside of Paris, in the presence of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and French Prime Minister François Fillon.

sanofi-aventis confirmed that it will use an insulin-manufacturing facility in Russia as part of a pilot initiative in the Pharmpolis Project. “Today represents an important milestone for sanofi-aventis in its commitment and collaboration with the Russian Federation,” said Viehbacher, in a statement. “We want to create a situation in which patients suffering from severe conditions, such as diabetes, are diagnosed and treated as early as possible and have access to innovative drugs at affordable prices. The manufacturing of insulin locally will be a major step towards achieving this goal.”

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