Several Eastern European generics companies achieved sales growth in 2018. Looking ahead, Grindeks plans to strengthen its presence in Russia and other CIS countries, Alkaloid is set to continue investing in production facilities and technologies, while Olainfarm looks to upgrade its product dossiers.

Zentiva has signed its first acquisition after it was carved out from Sanofi last year to become an independent company, entering into a shared purchase agreement with Siyiara to acquire Romania-based food supplement and OTC medicines producer Solacium.

Aceto has struck a deal to sell its Rising Pharmaceuticals unit and related businesses to Shore Suven Pharma for US$15 million. The agreement comes shortly after Aceto agreed to divest its chemicals business assets for US$338 million after filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy petitions in the US.

Selexis and Turgut have further expanded their biosimilar development partnership by signing commercial license agreements for two undisclosed biosimilar antibodies. Building on previous deals signed in July 2016 and December 2017, the companies are now working together to develop biosimilars to treat oncology and inflammatory diseases.

Quality issues and inconsistencies with laser-drilled tablet manufacturing processes at Teva’s Actavis have been flagged up by the FDA following an audit last July at the firm’s plant in Florida, US. The agency noted that similar cGMP observations were found during inspections in 2013, 2016 and 2017.

Several Eastern European generics companies achieved sales growth in 2018. Looking ahead, Grindeks plans to strengthen its presence in Russia and other CIS countries, Alkaloid is set to continue investing in production facilities and technologies, while Olainfarm looks to upgrade its product dossiers.

Perrigo has won a US appeals court ruling on its generic version of Pepcid Complete. However, the company’s Prescription generics business saw a 15% drop in sales and a 28% decline in operating profit as the firm reported its 2018 results, ahead of plans to separate the Prescription unit from the company as it transitions to become a ‘self-care’ company.

Biocon believes its new biologics chief in India will lead the firm to become a “major global player”, Glenmark names Riva to lead its recently spun-off innovation business, and Recipharm bolsters its management team by adding Chouhan to lead sales activity in North America.

Acino has bolstered its senior management team with four appointments, as the Swiss firm aims to strengthen its position as a high-quality pharmaceutical company focusing on emerging markets.