BelVitUnipharm will launch the first pharmaceutical production line in June 2010

February 26, Vitebsk / Sergey Kochetov - BELTA /. RUP "BelVitUnipharm" plans to commission the first line for the production of medicinal preparations in June 2010, the enterprise's director Oleg Merkushev told a BELTA correspondent. The line for packaging and bottling medicinal preparations, costing about Br3.1 billion, is being manufactured by a German producer by order of the Vitebsk enterprise. "We are now working closely with our German partner and expect to receive the equipment in May and start its installation," the director clarified. The commissioning of the line will allow the enterprise to master the production of 50 types of medicinal products, 48 of which are planned to be produced in tablet form, and the rest in gelatin capsules. These will mainly be anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs, including those intended for the treatment of cardiovascular and digestive system diseases. At the present stage, the Jordanian pharmaceutical enterprise JPM acts as a partner of the Vitebsk enterprise. The Jordanian manufacturer plans to transfer production technologies for 170 types of preparations, about 80% of which are import-substituting. After their registration in Belarus, "BelVitUnipharm" will commence production activities. In addition, the issue of including "BelVitUnipharm" in the plan for corporatization of state-owned facilities for 2010 is currently being worked out. The enterprise is interested in finding an investor, including attracting them to participate in possible corporatization. "We are currently negotiating with our Jordanian partners on these issues and have reached a preliminary agreement on their participation in privatization by contributing intangible assets worth at least 2 million euros to the authorized capital of the future joint-stock company," said Oleg Merkushev. The second stage of the project implementation is planned for the period up to 2011 and involves the creation of production facilities for a full technological cycle. The enterprise will focus not only on the production but also on the creation of modern medicinal preparations, for which it is planned to organize a research center in cooperation with the Vitebsk State Medical University. To enhance export potential, it is planned to certify production in accordance with international GMP quality standards. In the total production volume, solid dosage forms will account for 68%, soft forms (ointments and gels) - about 11%, and the rest - sterile injectable preparations. The total cost of the project is estimated at about 80 million euros. The area of production buildings will be over 25 thousand square meters, and the staff size will be about 1 thousand people. -0-