Roche aims for expansion in Russia; Pharmsynthez production plans

Swiss pharmaceutical major Roche (ROG: SIX) plans to accelerate its expansion into the Russian pharmaceutical market in the coming years. This is expected mainly to take place through the launch of drug production at the facilities of local producers, with their further promotion.

As part of these plans, the production of the MabThera (rituximab) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is expected to be initiated at the Pharmstandard-Ufavita plant, operated by Russia’s Pharmstandard, according to local reports.

The Swiss company plans to begin full-cycle production of the drug during the next 18 months to two years. At the same time the company has also not ruled out the possibility of starting production of some other drugs in Russia. So far, Roche has not considered Russia among the most important markets for its further growth.