Teva to launch production of Copaxone in Russia

Israeli generic pharma behemoth Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (NYSE: TEVA) will establish production of its injectable drugs in Russia, at the facilities of the local Nanolek enterprise. It is planned that production will be established in the Kirov region, according to The Pharma Letter’s local correspondent.

At the initial stage, the company will focus on the production of Copaxone (glatiramer acetate), its blockbuster drug for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. The first shipments are scheduled for the second half of 2017, but production will reach its full cycle in the fourth quarter of 2018.

The drug is purchased by the Russian Health Ministry under the "Seven nosologies" program, which is a state procurement program that involves purchases of the most expensive drugs for state needs.