Hoffmann La Roche turnover up 30%

Pharmaceutical company Hoffmann La Roche estimates to have made 30% higher turnover last year, compared with 2004, when, according to Cegedim data, it achieved sales of some 62.9 million euros and a 6.5% market share.

“We concluded 2005 in the second position among pharmaceutical companies in Romania and expect to see a similar market share in 2006 as in 2005. The company”s sales in 2006 will be worth at least as much as they were in 2005, with a similar market share,” Dan Zamonea, Roche Romania”s general manager said.

Nine months into last year, according to the latest Cegedim data, Roche Romania achieved turnover of 53.4 million euros, and a market share of 6.9%.

The company is world”s leading producer of cancer drugs, with a market share of about 30%.

It has been present on the Romanian market for more than 10 years and operates on the top therapeutic segments – virology (HIV, viral hepatitis, influenza), oncology, obesity treatment and transplants. “The Roche drug for chronic hepatitis C was cleared by the Romanian authorities for two new avenues, hepatitis B and HIV-HCV co-infection,” Zamonea went on.

Then there is the newest colorectal cancer treatment, as well as a new drug for the cytomegalovirus infection (CMV). “These are products that rely on complex, high-tech research,” Zamonea said.

Roche Romania”s portfolio will expand this year, but the company official would not provide further details at this moment.

“Hoffmann La Roche is carrying out domestic production projects with companies like Terapia Cluj, but does not rule out cooperation with Romanian partners, as long as our market develops and integrates into the European Union market,” Zamonea explained.

The company invests more than 5% of its annual turnover every year in testing and diagnosis equipment, in diagnostic tests, clinical studies and programmes than ensure broad patient access to new therapies. ioana.david@zf.ro