Aché invests US$ 65.6 million in generic drugs
Valor Econômico
The national laboratory Aché is investing R$ 120 million (US$ 65.6 million) to produce generic and similar medicines that are to lose the patent in the coming months. Between 2010 and 2011, nearly 25 brand medicines should have their generic version available in the domestic market. "We have more than 100 projects underway, which should be launched within the next three years", José Ricardo Mendes da Silva, President of the company, told Valor.
Third largest generic drug laboratory of Brazil, with gross sales of R$ 1.9 billion (US$ 1.04 billion) (preliminary data of 2009), Aché is following up close the brand medicines that will lose patents between this year and 2011. This year Aché should have around 10 new products between generic and similar drugs in the domestic market.
According to Mendes, the company should also intensify agreements to license medicines in Brazil. The company seeks "two-ways" partnerships. In other words, Aché licenses drugs from an international laboratory and also grants its products for the same purpose for sale in the country of origin of the partner company. In 2007, the company entered into two important agreements in this regard. One with Mexican Silanes to take medicines of the cardiometabolic line to Mexico and another with German Beiersdorf, to bring Brazil the Eucerin dermocosmetics line. This year, the laboratory plans launching its own line of dermatological products, said Mendes.
The Group is also already investing R$ 70 million (US$ 38.3 million) in the Research and Development (R&D) of new drugs. Mendes denied to Valor that the company has become a preferred target of possible acquisitions by other laboratories - even though it has been questioned several times in recent months. The Executive said he will negotiate a partnership with a multinational for medicines aimed at the treatment of cancer, but he has not detailed the negotiations. Among its main medicines the company has Alenia (for asthma), Artrolive (for osteoarthritis), Betalor and Lotar (for heart diseases).
Founded in 1966, Aché has two industrial complex, one in its headquarters in Guarulhos (in the Metropolitan Area of São Paulo) and another one in the capital of the State, in the district of Jurubatuba. The portfolio of the company features 250 brands in nearly 600 presentations of prescription, generic and prescription free drugs. The company is controlled by the Dellape Baptista, Siaulys and Depieri families.