AVVA RUS received a soft loan to launch the production of a new drug

The branch of the major pharmaceutical company "AVVA RUS" has been operating in Kirov for over 20 years. It is now part of a single holding company together with the Swiss firm AVVA Pharmaceuticals AG. Recently, the enterprise received a preferential loan from the federal Industrial Development Fund and plans to launch production of a new revolutionary drug. The director of the Kirov branch of "AVVA RUS", Olga Gordienko, told "Navigator" about the company's development plans and history.

How did the "AVVA RUS" branch appear in our city? Why was Kirov chosen for opening production in Russia?

"AVVA RUS" was created in 1996. It was very convenient to establish an enterprise close to the raw material base. That's why we chose a site in Kirov on the territory of the Biochemical Plant (BKhZ).

Waste from the "Biokhimzavod" production - processed wood - is the raw material for manufacturing medicines. Based on these sorbents, "AVVA RUS" produces patented drugs: "Filtrum" and "Laktofiltrum".

"AVVA RUS" is part of a pharmaceutical holding together with the Swiss company AVVA Pharmaceuticals AG. How does this partnership affect the management structure, quality standards, product range, and other processes?

"AVVA RUS" was founded as a family business, and today 100% of our enterprise's shares belong to the Swiss company. This gives us a number of advantages. The standards of government agencies regarding the circulation of medicines in European countries are very serious. There are high and strict requirements for product quality and the production process. We fully comply with all standards.

This year, we will undergo a European audit for compliance with GMP requirements - the international system of production standards in the pharmaceutical industry.

What products does the Kirov enterprise currently produce? What are its sales channels and distribution geography?

Our line of medicines consists of more than 46 items. Most of them are used in pediatrics, gastroenterology, cardiology, neurology, allergology, dermatology, as well as for the treatment of infectious diseases, particularly tuberculosis. Moreover, we produce drugs in various forms: tablets, capsules, powders, suppositories, and soon we will start producing gels and syrups.

Our main products are our patented drugs: "Filtrum", "Laktofiltrum", "Mikrazim", and eco-antibiotics.

First of all, we are, of course, focused on the domestic market. We also supply products to nearby foreign countries - Kazakhstan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. We plan to supply some products to the European market.

Of course, as a large manufacturer, we work with major distribution companies. We are also actively engaged in charity. Last year and the beginning of this year, we signed agreements for the free supply of medicines to Kirov medical institutions.

In December 2016, the Industrial Development Fund provided "AVVA RUS" with a preferential loan for the implementation of an import substitution project. Tell us more about this project? What will it give the enterprise?

We have come a long way from applying to the Fund to receiving preferential lending. With the funds received, we will purchase equipment for the production of a new drug. I cannot yet disclose which one.

We are already negotiating the purchase of equipment and reconstructing the buildings. I think we will launch production next year. This will allow us to 100% legalize an innovative drug that has no analogues on the domestic market. I believe this is a breakthrough; the launch of new production will give the region additional jobs and taxes. Currently, the enterprise employs over 400 people.

Last week, "AVVA RUS" signed an agreement with Vyatka State University concerning the training of personnel for the Kirov plant. What exactly does this agreement imply? What specialists do you need?

The agreement implies work in several areas. First, personnel policy. We offer students to undergo paid internships at the production site. Young people will understand that they can get good working conditions, high salaries, and development in their home region, at our enterprise.

For "AVVA RUS", working within the agreement is an opportunity to identify the best future specialists.

Secondly, we are interested in conducting joint scientific research and implementing it in production. VyatSU has excellent laboratories, and we have great prospects in the pharma business. We hope that in the future, through joint efforts, we will be able to convince the country's and region's government of the need to allocate funds for the creation of a center for research and development, a center for preclinical and clinical research.

Thirdly, there is a desire to convey to the residents of Kirov that the presence of pharmaceutical enterprises in the region does not harm the environment.

How acute is the problem of shortage of qualified personnel now?

The pharmaceutical industry in the Kirov region is developing. Over time, there will be a need for highly qualified specialists who, unfortunately, often leave for other regions.

Moreover, several pharmaceutical companies are already operating in the region, and another one - "Rosplazma" - plans to launch production. Over time, the problem of the lack of highly qualified personnel will become even more acute. Fortunately, we have a flagship university that trains specialists.

In the fall of 2016, at a meeting with the governor, you talked about the company's problems. Thus, the production site of "AVVA RUS" is still not connected to the water supply and sewerage and uses the networks of the "Biokhimzavod". Are there any developments in solving this problem?

We are located on the same production site as the "Biokhimzavod", which was previously a single complex. That's why we faced the problem of water supply and drainage.

With the support of the acting governor Igor Vasiliev, his involvement in the work of industrial enterprises, we solved our problems. Today, "AVVA RUS" does not depend on BKhZ. Moreover, we are preparing a project in which we are ready to invest our own funds: we want to lay communications from city systems. I think we will implement this project in the near future.

What is your attitude to the idea of creating a biopharmaceutical cluster in the Kirov region?

Our company was one of the first to support the government's idea. First of all, a cluster for the region is development in biopharmaceutics; it will attract investors. It is also a status for our region, which means jobs will appear, and budget contributions will increase.

The cluster will help solve the issue of import substitution and make the country more independent of foreign medicines.

The branch of the major pharmaceutical company "AVVA RUS" has been operating in Kirov for over 20 years. It is now part of a single holding company together with the Swiss firm AVVA Pharmaceuticals AG. Recently, the enterprise received a preferential loan from the federal Industrial Development Fund and plans to launch production of a new revolutionary drug. The director of the Kirov branch of "AVVA RUS", Olga Gordienko, told "Navigator" about the company's development plans and history.

How did the "AVVA RUS" branch appear in our city? Why was Kirov chosen for opening production in Russia?

"AVVA RUS" was created in 1996. It was very convenient to establish an enterprise close to the raw material base. That's why we chose a site in Kirov on the territory of the Biochemical Plant (BKhZ).

Waste from the "Biokhimzavod" production - processed wood - is the raw material for manufacturing medicines. Based on these sorbents, "AVVA RUS" produces patented drugs: "Filtrum" and "Laktofiltrum".

"AVVA RUS" is part of a pharmaceutical holding together with the Swiss company AVVA Pharmaceuticals AG. How does this partnership affect the management structure, quality standards, product range, and other processes?

"AVVA RUS" was founded as a family business, and today 100% of our enterprise's shares belong to the Swiss company. This gives us a number of advantages. The standards of government agencies regarding the circulation of medicines in European countries are very serious. There are high and strict requirements for product quality and the production process. We fully comply with all standards.

This year, we will undergo a European audit for compliance with GMP requirements - the international system of production standards in the pharmaceutical industry.

What products does the Kirov enterprise currently produce? What are its sales channels and distribution geography?

Our line of medicines consists of more than 46 items. Most of them are used in pediatrics, gastroenterology, cardiology, neurology, allergology, dermatology, as well as for the treatment of infectious diseases, particularly tuberculosis. Moreover, we produce drugs in various forms: tablets, capsules, powders, suppositories, and soon we will start producing gels and syrups.

Our main products are our patented drugs: "Filtrum", "Laktofiltrum", "Mikrazim", and eco-antibiotics.

First of all, we are, of course, focused on the domestic market. We also supply products to nearby foreign countries - Kazakhstan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. We plan to supply some products to the European market.

Of course, as a large manufacturer, we work with major distribution companies. We are also actively engaged in charity. Last year and the beginning of this year, we signed agreements for the free supply of medicines to Kirov medical institutions.

In December 2016, the Industrial Development Fund provided "AVVA RUS" with a preferential loan for the implementation of an import substitution project. Tell us more about this project? What will it give the enterprise?

We have come a long way from applying to the Fund to receiving preferential lending. With the funds received, we will purchase equipment for the production of a new drug. I cannot yet disclose which one.

We are already negotiating the purchase of equipment and reconstructing the buildings. I think we will launch production next year. This will allow us to 100% legalize an innovative drug that has no analogues on the domestic market. I believe this is a breakthrough; the launch of new production will give the region additional jobs and taxes. Currently, the enterprise employs over 400 people.

Last week, "AVVA RUS" signed an agreement with Vyatka State University concerning the training of personnel for the Kirov plant. What exactly does this agreement imply? What specialists do you need?

The agreement implies work in several areas. First, personnel policy. We offer students to undergo paid internships at the production site. Young people will understand that they can get good working conditions, high salaries, and development in their home region, at our enterprise.

For "AVVA RUS", working within the agreement is an opportunity to identify the best future specialists.

Secondly, we are interested in conducting joint scientific research and implementing it in production. VyatSU has excellent laboratories, and we have great prospects in the pharma business. We hope that in the future, through joint efforts, we will be able to convince the country's and region's government of the need to allocate funds for the creation of a center for research and development, a center for preclinical and clinical research.

Thirdly, there is a desire to convey to the residents of Kirov that the presence of pharmaceutical enterprises in the region does not harm the environment.

How acute is the problem of shortage of qualified personnel now?

The pharmaceutical industry in the Kirov region is developing. Over time, there will be a need for highly qualified specialists who, unfortunately, often leave for other regions.

Moreover, several pharmaceutical companies are already operating in the region, and another one - "Rosplazma" - plans to launch production. Over time, the problem of the lack of highly qualified personnel will become even more acute. Fortunately, we have a flagship university that trains specialists.

In the fall of 2016, at a meeting with the governor, you talked about the company's problems. Thus, the production site of "AVVA RUS" is still not connected to the water supply and sewerage and uses the networks of the "Biokhimzavod". Are there any developments in solving this problem?

We are located on the same production site as the "Biokhimzavod", which was previously a single complex. That's why we faced the problem of water supply and drainage.

With the support of the acting governor Igor Vasiliev, his involvement in the work of industrial enterprises, we solved our problems. Today, "AVVA RUS" does not depend on BKhZ. Moreover, we are preparing a project in which we are ready to invest our own funds: we want to lay communications from city systems. I think we will implement this project in the near future.

What is your attitude to the idea of creating a biopharmaceutical cluster in the Kirov region?

Our company was one of the first to support the government's idea. First of all, a cluster for the region is development in biopharmaceutics; it will attract investors. It is also a status for our region, which means jobs will appear, and budget contributions will increase.

The cluster will help solve the issue of import substitution and make the country more independent of foreign medicines.