Swiss pharmaceutical giant Hoffmann La Roche is considering the possibility of developing research centres in Romania in partnership with domestic companies operating in this field. Thus, Hoffmann La Roche, ranking second on the Romanian market, is the first multinational to announce such plans in the research & development sector domestically.
"We are trying to discover Romania's research companies. We haven't had such a collaboration relationship so far. Unfortunately, most of the domestic research centres have been closed down. We are now trying to identify and support the development of Romanian research. This is a global policy with Roche. This policy was maintained in the former socialist bloc, but there have been fewer collaboration opportunities," says Dan Zamonea, general manager with Roche Romania, the domestic branch of Roche Swiss group.
According to him, Romania has been a country in transition and research has not been a priority with the pharmaceutical sector.
"Generations of specialists in bioengineering and biotechnology have already started to emerge. Practically, these specialists, if they team up and work in research institutes, will start producing. Which is where it gets interesting for Roche, too," Zamonea also said.
The company has had a partnership in place with Cluj-based Romanian drug maker Terapia for a number of years, in order to produce several drugs. Roche Romania representatives say they are also interested in developing such partnerships with other domestic players.
Driven by the progression of the pharmaceutical market, the company's sales in the first half of this year reached 161m RON (45.5m euros), according to Cegedim data quoted by Roche representatives. The figures point to a 30% increase compared with the similar period of last year. Roche ended the first half of the year with a 7.2% share of the domestic drug market. "The jigsaw progression of the pharmaceutical market maintains this year, too. After the weaker figures of the first quarter, funds released by the National Health Insurance House were immediately felt in consumption in the second quarter," explains Zamonea.
Last year, the market posted stronger growth in the second half.
As regards the second half of this year, Dan Zamonea says the market may stagnate. "We are expecting market stagnation in the second half of the year, a market stabilisation in terms of drugs released without a medical prescription. At the same time, we are expecting the new health policies to be implemented, the new lists of free and subsidised drugs to be released and the national tenders, which were last organised in 2003," added Zamonea.
Hoffmann La Roche has been present on the Romanian market for ten years.
Roche Romania
Domestic branch of Switzerland's Hoffmann La Roche pharmaceutical giant
Considers developing research centres in Romania jointly with domestic companies operating in the domain
Has had a partnership in place with Terapia Cluj for several years now in order to make a number of drugs
Logged sales worth 161m RON (45.5m euros) in this year's H1, 30% higher compared with the figure posted in the similar period of last year
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