Competition in Russian market for anti-HIV drugs

The level of competition in the Russian market of anti-HIV drugs is tightening, due to the plans of global drugmakers to launch their products and expand their existing portfolios, The Pharma Letter’s local correspondent reports.

One of such companies is India’s Lok-Beta Pharmaceuticals, which has recently filed a lawsuit with the Russian Intellectual Rights Court (CIP) demanding that the patent rights of the Russian firm Pharmsynthez for lopinavir + ritonavir be annuled. The drug is used to treat and prevent HIV infection, while local analysts expect the level of competition in this market segment will only continue to grow in the coming years.

Pharmsynthez produces lopinavir + ritonavir under the brand name Kalidavir – which is a generic version of the drug Kaletra from the American company AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV). The generic appeared on the market back in 2018, bypassing the AbbVie patent, which is valid until 2024. Then Pharmasyntez registered water-insoluble polymers in its formula, while the US manufacturer had them water-soluble.