Partners Neopharma and GSK have produced the first batch of medicines at local secondary packaging stage. 35,000 packages of the medicine were manufactured in three months, with plans to have them on UAE shelves within a month.
The partnership, announced in April 2019, established Neopharma, a leading global pharmaceutical company based in the UAE, as GSK’s third-party manufacturer for handling the secondary packaging process (the final manufacturing stage) for six of GSK’s most prescribed medicines in the Emirates.
The launch, which took place at Neopharma’s manufacturing site in Abu Dhabi, was attended by HE Mohamed Al Hameli, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, HE Patrick Moody, the British Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, BR Shetty, Founder and Chairman of Neopharma, Binay Shetty, Vice-Chairman and CEO of BRS Ventures, and Sameh Elfangary, General Manager for GSK in the Gulf.
HE Mohamed Hamad Al Hameli, Undersecretary of the Department of Health, said: “Abu Dhabi has set out to become a pharmaceutical research, development and manufacturing hub within the MENA region, and this is another great step forward in achieving this aim. In doing so, the country will be better placed to meet the needs of patients through improved access to locally produced medicines.”
Mr. Moody said: “The launch is a fantastic example of what UK and UAE companies can achieve together. It is bringing jobs and expertise to the UAE, as well as better services for patients. I congratulate the Abu Dhabi Department of Health and the UK Department for International Trade for their support in making this happen. It is another step forward in our shared ambition to work together to be global leaders in healthcare and life sciences.”
Dr. Shetty said: “It is wonderful to witness another landmark moment in our collaboration with GSK. We are delighted to partner with GSK to be able to provide local patients better access to medicines. By manufacturing the medicine locally, Neopharma has reinforced its commitment to maintaining global quality and manufacturing standards that are complying to stringent regulatory requirements.”
“In innovation science, we are focusing on debilitating metabolic diseases, and immuno-oncology with over 200 scientists working at Neopharma Japan site. This enables us to deliver innovative and quality products in a timely manner at affordable prices worldwide.”
“Neopharma is proud to be a vertically integrated pharmaceutical company with 10 manufacturing plants spread across USA, Japan, Brazil and India. We manufacture active pharmaceutical ingredients, oral finished dosage forms, injectables and beta lactams, and most of our facilities are approved by USFDA, European Union, ANVISA, PMDA Japan, GCC and other international regulatory authorities.”
Mr. Elfangary said: “We are delighted to see the outcomes of our partnership with Neopharma already yielding results. “As a result of this collaboration, the batch will reach UAE shelves two months earlier than planned. This is the most recent example of GSK’s commitment to ensuring a continuous supply of our high-quality, safe, and reliable medicines for patients in the UAE to access.”
Neopharma is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the MENA region, with 100% subsidiaries in USA, Japan, Brazil, and India.
A vertically integrated business, comprising of API, R&D and formulation facilities in emerging and regulated markets, Neopharma’s global presence is supported by 10 manufacturing facilities across four continents, delivering a wide range of branded and generic formulations, active pharmaceutical ingredients, contract research and manufacturing in the areas of acute and chronic therapies.
GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) is a science-led global healthcare company with a special mission – to help people do more, feel better and live longer. Globally and regionally, it has a track record for providing high-quality medicines, vaccines and consumer products. GSK has a 300-year global legacy and more than 70 years of local presence in the Gulf.