AbbVie and R-Pharm win large state contract in Russia

R-Pharm, one of Russia’s leading drugmakers, together with the USA’s AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) have won a tender for the supply of one of the most sought after anti-HIV drugs – Kaletra (lopinavir plus ritonavir) for the needs of the state, according to the company and the Russian Ministry of Health, reports The Pharma Letter’s local correspondent.

The total amount of the contract, which is for the period to November 15 of the current year is estimated at about 5 billion roubles ($80 million), which makes it one of the largest contracts in the Russian industry of drug public procurements, signed this year.

Farmasintez, which last year registered the first generic of Kaletra - Kalidavir, did not participate in the tender due to its strict requirements (mainly short delivery time ), despite the fact that a price for its generic was about 20% lower than for Kaletra.