Novartis aims to become leading producer of innovative drugs in Russia

Swiss pharmaceutical major Novartis (NOVN: VX) plans to become a lead partner of the Russian government in the field of local health care services and to accelerate research activities in Russia in cooperation with leading Russian universities, research centers and private businesses, aimed at developing new drugs for Russian patients, Joseph Jimenez, the company’s chief executive, has recently said in an interview with Russian business newspaper Vedomosti.

In June this year, the company began construction of its first Russian factory in St Petersburg, which in the first stage is expected to focus on the production of solid forms: tablets, capsules, powders and later other forms. This is part of an overall $500 million commitment in local infrastructure and collaborative health care initiatives planned over a five-year period (The Pharma Letter December 20, 2010).