Biocad to localize production of cancer therapy drugs in Algeria

ST. PETERSBURG. July 19 (Interfax) - Biocad has started technology transfer in order to localize the production of anticancer drugs in Algeria, the company's press service reports.

The company is looking at transferring technologies for the production of three medicines. This year, the company plans to localize the packaging of three drugs, as well as transfer production technologies for two other drugs, followed by the their initial release. In the future, only five drugs will be produced using this technology.

In 2022, Biocad and Algerian Saidal group entered into a partnership agreement to ensure the availability of the medicines.

"Technology transfer will increase availability and speed up the process of bringing life-saving therapy to the market for the citizens of Algeria. In addition, this is an important step towards creating the country's medicinal sovereignty," Alexei Torgov, Biocad Deputy General Director for Corporate Relations and Communications was quoted in the message as saying.

Biocad is a Russian biotechnology company whose product line consists of drugs intended for treating diseases in the field of oncology/hematology, gynecology, neurology and infectious diseases. The company's product portfolio currently consists of 61 medicines. About 40 products are currently in various stages of development.

Biocad exports biological generic drugs for cancer therapy to seven African countries: Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Uganda, Kenya, Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire. In 2022, the total value of the company's deliveries to Africa was about $30 million, while reaching $18 million in the first half of 2023.

The Saidal Group is a leading pharmaceutical company in Algeria specializing in the production of generic drugs. It has eight production sites with a total capacity of 220 million units per year.