Solvay and Petrovax combine ground breaking skills to produce new flu vaccines in Russia

Solvay Pharmaceuticals cell line to feed Petrovax production unit in Moscow

19-Nov-2004

Solvay Pharmaceuticals and Petrovax Pharm announce the signing of a contract to co-operate on the construction of a facility which will produce new generation flu vaccines near Moscow. Petrovax will own and operate the new factory, which is expected to come on stream in 2006. The production will combine antigens originating from Solvay Pharmaceuticals' new cell culture technology in Weesp, the Netherlands, with polyoxidonium (PO), an immune adjuvant developed and patented by the founders of Petrovax. Solvay's new cell-derived antigen line is scheduled to start production in 2005; supply to Petrovax will be on a commercial basis. This new vaccine is intended for the Russian and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) markets.

The two companies have also agreed to co-operate on research and development projects intended to result in next generation vaccines combining Solvay's and Petrovax's technologies. Solvay Pharmaceuticals has experience of manufacturing influenza vaccines in modern facilities in the Netherlands working to international good manufacturing practice (GMP) standards. It will contribute project implementation and management support during the construction of the new factory in Russia.

"We are proud of this alliance, which combines the achievements of Russian scientific research with the highest standards in manufacturing expertise and the most recent technologies developed by Solvay," said Sjirk Kok, Head of, Solvay Pharmaceuticals' Influenza business. "We expect that this agreement will further enhance our presence in Russia, which is already developing very well," he added.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will grant a long term loan of EUR 15 million to Petrovax for the construction of the new facility.

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2 products
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