R&D investment in the country reaches almost 30%
Valor Econômico - 04/08/2008
The pharmaceutical industry foresees investments of R$ 1.72 billion (US$ 982.9 million) in 2008. This means a 14.8% addition over the total announced last year, according to data compiled by the Brazilian Federation of the Pharmaceutical Industry (Febrafarma). From that total, almost 30% - around R$ 505 millions (US$ 288.6 million) - will be destined to Research and Development (R&D). The R&D amount represents a 30% growth over last year's forecast and means a historic record. The R&D funds are considered essential for the pharmaceutic sector, mainly by the innovation companies. "This participation already starts gaining an interesting share", said the entity's president Ciro Mortella. « There are more than additional R$ 100 milhon (US$ 57.1 million) foreseen for this year. » In Febrafarma's opinion, the Research and Development share should grow in the next years. "When the company acquires a certain structure, it does not have another way than seeking growth", affirmed Mortella. The survey, elaborated by Febrafarma for the third time, heard 50 laboratories - 21 national ones and 29 foreigner ones -, which correspond to 75% of the pharmaceutical sales, according to data of IMS Health. The great leap in the investments in Research and Development must be made by the companies of national capital, which foresaw investments of R$ 130.8 million (US$ 67.8 million) in 2007 and foresee investing R$ 219 million (US$ 125.14 million) this year - a 68% leap. But the foreign capital companies continue being the greatest R&D investors in the country : R$ 285 million (US$ 162.9 million). According to the last two surveys carried out by Febrafarma, the companies continue allocating the largest total of investment funds in plants, either in the modernization or in the expansion of the industrial park. More than half of the total investment, or 51.7%, the equivalent to R$ 893 million (US$ 510.3 million), will be invested in fixed assets. That means an increase of 5.4% over the last year‘s amount. The industry should also inject R$ 225 million (US$ 128.6 million) in projectos for the launching of new products. The figure represents a 23% growth over the 2007 amount. Finally, Febrafarma's survey indicates that the investments in information technology and training, among others, should grow 20% this year, reaching R$ 102 million (US$ 58.3 million).