Technology transfer

AstraZeneca has launched the production of the first targeted drug for the treatment of lung cancer in Russia

Kaluga Region Regional Development Agency

On September 12, the international biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca launched a new high-tech production process at its enterprise in the Vorsino Industrial Park of the Kaluga Region. One of the first drugs to be produced on the new line will be an innovative targeted drug for the treatment of lung cancer (osimertinib). The official event was attended by: Governor of Kaluga Region Anatoly Artamonov, Executive Vice President of the International Markets Division Leon Wang (AstraZeneca), Executive Vice President for Production and Information Technology Pam Cheng (AstraZeneca), General Director of AstraZeneca Industries LLC Gennady Pyatsky.

AstraZeneca opened a plant in the Kaluga Region in 2015, having invested US$ 224 million in its construction, and since then has continued to consistently develop its local production. As part of the launch ceremony of the production of an innovative targeted drug for the treatment of lung cancer, AstraZeneca announced additional investments in the acquisition, construction, manufacture, delivery, installation and validation of equipment for a new production line in the amount of more than 700 million rubles.

Thanks to the opening of a new production line, the plant will produce not only the drug osimertinib, but also one drug for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, one drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, as well as another oncological drug for the treatment of lung cancer. In total – up to 3.5 million packages of innovative medicines of AstraZeneca per year. According to the current localization schedule, their full-cycle production is scheduled for 2020.

The AstraZeneca plant produces more than 30 innovative drugs for the treatment of diseases in such therapeutic areas as oncology, cardiology, gastroenterology, psychiatry and pulmonology. This is almost 80% of the company's portfolio in Russia.  

As Anatoly Artamonov noted, AstraZeneca Industries is an active participant in the Kaluga Cluster of Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnologies and Biomedicine. "We associate the further development of the cluster with the successful activities of our business partners and create all the necessary conditions for this. Kaluga pharmaceutical cluster is represented by more than 60 participants, more than 9 thousand people work in the pharmaceutical industry of the region. Every year there is an increase in the volume of production. This year it is estimated to be 87%," Anatoly Artamonov added.

Gennady Pyatsky, General Director of AstraZeneca Industries LLC: "Out of 30 plants of AstraZeneca, only 3 will produce a new drug. Among them is the Kaluga enterprise. The production capacity of the enterprise with the introduction of new lines will amount to 40 million packages per year."

Russia is one of the key priority markets for AstraZeneca's activities. About 40 of the company's original drugs are registered and allowed to be used in the country. One of the key tasks of the company is to make a significant contribution to the formation of the innovative pharmaceutical industry in Russia.  

Executive Vice President of Production and Information Technology Pam Cheng (AstraZeneca): "We are investing in new technologies. At the enterprise in the Kaluga Region, we are creating new facilities that meet the most advanced international standards."

Leon Wang, Executive Vice President of the International Markets Division (AstraZeneca): "The launch of a new drug, technology transfer is an important milestone in the company's development in Russia. We receive tremendous support from both the federal and regional governments. The company employs highly qualified specialists whose mission is to find new solutions for the treatment of cancer. The priority is the Russian market. As capacity increases, we are also considering exports to other countries."

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru  14.09.2017