Ozone in partnership talks with local companies

The Romanian division of pharmaceutical company Ozone Laboratories expects 30 million-euro turnover this year, up 20% from 2006.
Ozone closed last year with sales worth some 25 million euros on the local market, according to the company’s preliminary results.
At the end of 2006, the company initiated a partnership with Brasov-based producer Europharm (held by GSK) to produce Acetylsalicylic Acid (aspirin). The partnership is in the form of a manufacturing contract. A partnership based on a manufacturing contract entails the “renting” of production capacities that already have a GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) certificate, where pharmaceuticals are produced under the company’s own brand.
“Taking into account the other partnerships Ozone has had since its entry onto the market, as well as those it currently operates, there was the need for expansion to include a more experienced partner, which would allow it to keep up with the market’s growth and the demand of consumers,” said Ruxandra Nastase, general manager of Ozone Romania.
Ozone has a portfolio of around 150 products on the local market, the most important sectors being those of vitamins, analgesics (painkillers), and cardiovascular drugs. However, the company does not have its own production facilities in Romania, instead it develops partnerships based on a manufacturing contract with local producers.
Currently, Ozone is producing a single drug in partnership with Europharm, but does not rule out the possibility of developing more products.
“There are many factors determining when we will be able to make other products here, but there are talks underway on the subject,” says Nastase.
Ozone has been present on the local market since 2001 and has seen strong growth in the last few years with the trend slowing down in 2006.