English versions

English version Latin Pharma firms continue to make headlines. Now the Mega Pharma group has bought the Uruguayan drugmaker Celsius in a move that will give it control over 30% of the medicines market in Uruguay. Latin giant Mega Pharma continues to expand reinforcing its operations in the continent. Pharmabiz has learned that the holding company, owned by Thomas Struengmann, has acquired another...

English version Brazil's Grupo Masipack, which manufactures machinery for the pharma sector, is in financial crisis. The president of the company blames the problems on the recession in Brazil. Brazil's Grupo Masipack, which manufactures machinery for the pharma sector, is suffering a financial crisis that is affecting delivery times for its products. As far as Pharmabiz could learn, the company is responding...

English version Germany's Sartorius is bringing its star speaker Stefan Schlack to Argentina. The executive is arriving in the country for Open Talks at Buenos Aires' MALBA museum. Germany's Sartorius is looking to the region inviting experts and anyone interested in the biotechnology business to attend a talk by its star speaker, the vice president of bioprocesses Stefan Schlack. Schlack, who has been at the corporation...

English version Argentine drugmaker Biosidus has opened the door to new shareholders: the investment funds Acon Investments and Humus Capital Partners, which will now control the company. Pharmabiz has learned that Biosidus, which had been owned by the García Belmonte family since the divisino of Grupo Sidus in 2010 is being reshaped through the arrival of new shareholders. According to an official release from the...

English version Collective pay negotiations in the Argentine pharma sector have closed reaching with an agreement of a 20% pay increase in three phases. The agreement includes update clause based on the consumer price index. After some delay, the collective pay negotiations in the Argentine pharma sector have reached an agreement. Pharmabiz has learned that the sectors'...

English version The Roemmers family has broken its ties with the Struengmann family, leaving Uruguay-based Latin pharma giant Mega Pharma, which was founded in 2002. International drugmakers are continually restructuring and Latin America's multinationals are no exception. Pharmabiz has learned that the regional giant Mega Pharma, which counted local businessman and pharma reference point Alberto Roemmers as a shareholder, has seen a major...

English version The patent on the antirretroviral Reyataz recently expired. The US firm BMS had been selling the product to the Argentine state for a decade as part of the national HIV programme. Generally, the private pharma industry doesn´t look kindly on the state production of medicines. One reason is that while it has sufficient structure to supply the market, public drugmakers require large...

English version Argentine firm Andrómaco has closed a deal with Danish drugmaker Leo Pharma to bring Picato to Argentina The anti-actinic transparent gel will come under the firm's prescription medicines business. Argentine firm Andrómaco has closed a deal with Danish drugmaker Leo Pharma. The company, which belongs to the Roviralta family had already sealed deals with the European counterpart in the past, but is...

English version The "un-termination" of the agreement with PAMI, Argentina’s state funded health provision for pensioners, was possibly the key and most controversial topic of 2017. The agreement was terminated then reactivated in a series of twists that have left many wondering what lays in store for the next agreement due...

English version Pharmabiz, Latin America's top digital source of news on the pharmaceutical industry, is celebrating ten years. Its first decade of existence has seen it become an indispensable reference for a broad section of the Pharma and cosmetics industries. Online newspapers are defining the era and in this context Pharmabiz, at the forefront of new forms...

English version It’s not unusual to come across imitations of luxury fragrances, but companies have taken it as far as Argentine direct sales company Reino. The firm has launched replicas that emulate the details of top fragrances at 80 per cent cheaper. Imitations of luxury fragrances are no novelty. Many low-price lines emulate...

English version: US firm Baxter is divesting in Argentina. Led by regional head Marcelo Rozas, the multinational is in the due diligence process to sell its clinic Daomi for the second time. The change of direction take by Argentine president Mauricio Macri apparently was not enough to convince some multinationals that the country is a reliable market...

English version: Abbott launched a misleading campaign green-lighted by Argentine CEO for the diabetes division, Nicolás Mendiberri, and José María Oribe's press agency, that seemed to falsely suggest the at new blood sugar test completely eliminated the need for finger pricks. US drugmaker Abbott has been accused of launching a misleading ad campaign in Argentina suggesting that...

English version US drugmaker Pfizer has opened a new soft capsule production plant in the Buenos Aires neighborhood of Villa Soldati. The company has invested more than US$ 10 million to produce the new dosage form directly in Argentina. US drugmaker Pfizer cut the ribbon today at a new soft capsule plant in...

English version Daniel Sielecki has bought back the drugmaker Phoenix. The company will come under the wings of Elea from December, following seven years of British ownership. The drugmaker Phoenix is flying back to its origins. After just seven years of British ownership, the company has been bought back from GlaxoSmithKline by its original...

English Version Argentina’s Roemmers group has acquired local drugmaker Elisium. Sources have told Pharmabiz that the group will pay close to US$ 20 million to buy the company from Gador and Casasco. Roemmers, the largest pharmaceutical company in Argentina, continues to expand. Pharmabiz has exclusively learned that the group has bought Elisium from...

English Version French drugmaker Sanofi has said goodbye to its Argentina CEO Sergio Navarro Hufenbach. In a calculated chess move, the Swiss Sebastien Delarive has already stepped into the position. Sometimes company goodbyes come with little notice, but this week's decision at Sanofi Argentina was completely unexpected. As far as Pharmabiz could...

English Version German group Fresenius has opened its new manufacturing plant on the Ezeiza industrial park. The site will focus on producing parenteral solutions. German healthcare group Fresenius has launched a new manufacturing plant in Argentina. Located on an industrial park in Ezeiza, in Buenos Aires Province, the new facility involved an investment of almost US $10 million. The group had originally planned a...

English Version Uruguayan drugmaker Mega Pharma is said to be planning to make an initial public offering either in the US or somewhere in Latin America. Uruguayan drugmaker Mega Pharma is said to be planning to make an initial public offering either in the US or somewhere in Latin America. According to the news...

English Version Drugmarkers’ invitations to science journalists are almost nonexistent these days. Compliance rules, mainly among multinationals, have succeeded in almost burying that practice, but it appears that some cosmetics groups are using the initiative. Drugmarkers’ invitations to science journalists are almost nonexistent these days. Companies used to ferry reporters to international conferences on every specialism going...

The IMS World Review 2014 took place today in Buenos Aires, at Puerto Salguero, in Costa Salguero exhibition center. English version The IMS World Review 2014 took place today in Buenos Aires, at Puerto Salguero, in Costa Salguero exhibition center. The event covered by Pharmabiz brought together the main members of the...

English version Gustavo Gil has retired from Swiss drugmaker Novartis. He led the oncology division in Argentina for more than a decade. The American Aliya Omer takes his place. May will be a key month for Novartis’ local oncology business in Argentina, with section head Gustavo Gil stepping down after a decade in the position. The Argentine director, who is retiring, held...

English version International consultation and auditing company KPMG is getting its data in a twist in Argentina, at least in the Pharma sector. International consultation and auditing company KPMG, one of the four giants on the global stage alongside Deloitte, PWC and Ernst & Young is getting its data in a twist in Argentina, at least in the Pharma...

English Version Pharmabiz, the leading specialist on the Latin American pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, is expanding its journalistic output to include You Tube video reports. The two-minute micro-reports will be recorded on site at Pharmabiz’s editorial offices, and have the seal and support of the respected media outlet’s journalistic team. See channel. The idea is...

English Version The deals and acquisitions in the pharma industry continue even as the bells are about to ring for New Year. The deals and acquisitions in the pharma industry continue even as the bells are about to ring for New Year. Argentine drugmakers Microsules, led by the Breitman family, and Biosintex, led...

English Version Facundo Schiavone (ex Andreani) and Jorge Muixi (ex H.B. Fuller) have launched a new company in the Argentine market. Facundo Schiavone (ex Andreani) and Jorge Muixi (ex H.B. Fuller) have launched a new company in the Argentine market. With an initial investment of $10 million, the firm will focus on the specialist adhesives sector, catering for different industries,...

English Version Pharmabiz was present as the clinical trials logistics company Marken cut the ribbons on a new operations centre yesterday. Pharmabiz was present as the clinical trials logistics company Marken cut the ribbons on a new operations centre yesterday. The company’s global CEO Wes Wheeler attended the event, along with its...

English Version Argentine men's deodorant and fragrance brand Dufour is returning in the hands of the owners of a classic home cleaning product. Argentine men's deodorant and fragrance brand Dufour is returning in the hands of the owners of a classic home cleaning product. The brand is being relaunched by local firm Villard & Louis, makers...

English Version Argentine firms feeling the pinch from an ongoing recession at home are looking abroad for expansion. Argentine firms feeling the pinch from an ongoing recession at home are looking abroad for expansion. Several local firms are looking to enter new markets and create alliances, mainly in the areas of generics...

English Version As predicted by Pharmabiz, Argentina's regulator ANMAT has introduced new rules for drugs traceability. Ruling number 10564, published in Argentina's governmental bulletin, merges previous lists of active ingredients that must be traced, and adds more. The measure updates lists published in 2011, eliminating close to 100 drugs listed in four rulings emitted...

English Version Argentine drugmaker Richmond, led by Marcelo Figueiras, has informed the country's national securities commission that is has decided to register a limited company in Uruguay. Argentine drugmaker Richmond, led by Marcelo Figueiras, has informed the country's national securities commission that is has decided to register a limited company in Uruguay. The new...

English Version Argentine president Mauricio Macri cut the ribbon at Droguería del Sud's new central distribution centre in the province of Buenos Aires. Argentine president Mauricio Macri cut the ribbon at Droguería del Sud's new central distribution centre in the province of Buenos Aires. Pharmabiz was present at the event, at which Drogería del Sud's president,...

English Version India’s phamaceutical industry continues to look for strategic allies in Latin America and seems to have its eyes on Peru. India’s phamaceutical industry continues to look for strategic allies in Latin America and seems to have its eyes on Peru. In Argentina, inroads had been made during the previous government’s administration, led by Cristina Fernández...

Colorcon has a new regional CEO. Now at the helm in South America is Rafael Falco, who was previously the company’s sales manager for the southern cone. English Version The multinational Colorcon, specialised in colourings and coatings for medicines, has a new regional CEO. Now at the helm in South America is Rafael Falco, who was previously the company’s sales...

Anglo-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca is laying off 100 employees in Argentina. Under new CEO Gustavo Mizraje, the local operation is making the cuts in the areas of administration and marketing English Version Anglo-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca is laying off 100 employees in Argentina, Pharmabiz has learned. Under new CEO Gustavo Mizraje, the local operation is making the cuts in the...

English Version Global biotech firm Biogen continues to lay off staff in Argentina while rumours circulate that it might leave the country altogether. Global biotech firm Biogen continues to lay off staff in Argentina while rumours circulate that it might leave the country altogether. The latest news obtained by Pharmabiz is that the multinational...

English Version Bayer brought together a legion of Latin American journalists for a press conference in Buenos Aires to outline its plans for the continent and detail its performance in each country. Bayer brought together a legion of Latin American journalists for a press conference in Buenos Aires to outline its plans for...

Alberto Weder’s 15-year tenure at the helm of Danish drugmaker Lundbeck’s Argentine concern has been brought to an end. English version Alberto Weder’s 15-year tenure at the helm of Danish drugmaker Lundbeck’s Argentine concern has been brought to an end, Pharmabiz has learned. For the moment, finance director Enrique Alba Valle is acting...

Sources say the company is considering opening crisis prevention talks with Argentina’s Ministry of Work, but official spokesmen have denied this. English Version Argentine biotech firm Amega Biotech is facing financial difficulties and has begun making layoffs, Pharmabiz has learned. The company officially admitted to Pharmabiz that it has already cut 20 jobs from a total of 300 staff, but reliable...

Swiss/British drugmaker AstraZeneca has closed a new licensing agreement with Argentine firm GP Pharm, Pharmabiz can exclusively reveal. English Version Swiss/British drugmaker AstraZeneca has closed a new licensing agreement with Argentine firm GP Pharm, Pharmabiz can exclusively reveal. The licensing and royalties agreement will see GP Pharm commercialise the injectable drugs Yectafer, Nubaína, Intrafer, Fentanilo and Remicit, which AZ produces at its plant in...

The post-Davos influx of foreign investment appears to be arriving more quickly than expected, starting with German drugmaker Stada's purchase of Argentine generics producer Vannier. English Version The post-Davos influx of foreign investment appears to be arriving more quickly than expected, starting with German drugmaker Stada's purchase of Argentine generics producer Vannier. See website. The transaction, completed...

The Argentine health ministry today signed a u$s 5.4 million contract for the direct purchase of Hepatitis C treatments Sovaldi and Probirase. English Version The Argentine health ministry today signed a 72 million pesos ($5.4 million) contract for the direct purchase of Hepatitis C treatments Sovaldi and Probirase. The agreement was signed today by health minister Jorge Lemus. See...

Argentine businessman Jorge Braver has bought an oncology plant from German firm Fresenius Kabi's – specialists in infusion therapy and parenteral nutrition. English Version Argentine businessman Jorge Braver has bought an oncology plant from German firm Fresenius Kabi's – specialists in infusion therapy and parenteral nutrition. A strong man in the Cooperala industrial chamber who likes to hold his meetings...

English Version Brazilian firm Eurofarma has bought Sanofi’s plant in Lomas del Mirador, Argentina. The decision comes after a long process of due diligence in which the company, overseen by Mauricio Billi, looked closely at its figures. Brazilian firm Eurofarma has bought Sanofi’s plant in Argentina. The decision comes after a long process of due diligence in which the company, overseen...

The operation still needs the OK from the Argentine secretary of commerce but is expected to get the go-ahead. English Version Unilever sells Argentine brands and plant British-Dutch multinational Unilever has sold off a package of personal care brands, reliable market sources have told Pharmabiz. The move is intended to redress the monopolistic position...

English Version Fernando Farré loved being close to celebrities, and his position at Coty granted him access thanks to the company’s wide portfolio of fragrances associated with different stars. Fernando Farré loved being close to celebrity, and his position at Coty granted him access thanks to the company’s wide portfolio of fragrances associated with different stars. Pharmabiz published a gallery of...

Although Farré left the company almost a year ago, the murder will without doubt have an impact on Coty’s image. English Version Fernando Farré, the former general manager of Coty Argentina, has been arrested after allegedly killing his wife, Claudia Schaefer, at their home in the Martindale gated community in Pilar. It is alleged that...

English Version Many media sources, including Argentina’s Clarín newspaper, reported in July that the vaccine had “been approved”, when in fact it had only received a “positive scientific opinion” from a European Medicines Agency commission. Contrary to excited media reports, GSK’s long-awaited malaria vaccine Mosquirix still faces a long process and significant hurdles...

Argentine health minister Daniel Gollan is in India attempting to establish agreements with generics manufacturers, Pharmabiz has learned from reliable sources. English Version Argentine health minister Daniel Gollan is in India attempting to establish agreements with generics manufacturers, Pharmabiz has learned from reliable sources. The objective of the trip is to add...

New Zealander Murray Aitken, Executive Director of IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics, arrived in Argentina to give his global perspectives. English Version New Zealander Murray Aitken –Executive Director of IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics- arrived in Argentina to give his global perspectives. Aitken explained which therapeutic areas were the most important and grew at the fastest...

Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis has sold its leading local anti-nausea brand Reliverán to Argentine firm Gador. English version Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis has sold its leading local anti-nausea brand Reliverán to Argentine firm Gador. The transaction was closed in Buenos Aires on Friday April 24 and was confirmed to Pharmabiz by Víctor...

English Version Pharma multinational GSK this week sat at the table at the Argentine Ministry of Work opposite the trade union for pharmaceutical sales representatives. The cause was the mandatory arbitration ordered by the Ministry after the company laid off 15 employees Pharma multinational GSK this week sat at the table at...

English Version Argentine firm HLB Pharma led by Hernán López Bernabó has acquired the Rontag line from British-Swedish multinational AstraZeneca for close to ten million pesos. Argentine firm HLB Pharma led by Hernán López Bernabó has acquired the Rontag line from British-Swedish multinational AstraZeneca for close to ten million pesos (USD...

Swiss multinational Nestlé has closed a deal with Argentine pharma company Cassará to expand its presence in the local market. English Version Swiss multinational Nestlé has closed a deal with Argentine pharma company Cassará to expand its presence in the local market. The contract was signed last Tuesday at the headquarters of Nestlé Argentina. Present were Jason Stalker, Nestlé's regional CFO...

English Version Uruguayan firm Botica del Señor has launched a medicine derived from chamerion angustifolium to be used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Uruguayan firm Botica del Señor has launched a medicine derived from chamerion angustifolium, a plant commonly known as fireweed or rosebay willowherb, to be used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Pharmabiz...

Argentine pharmaceutical group Sidus has completed a round of voluntary redundancies covering all areas of the company. The deadline for take-up was Friday October 31. English Version Argentine pharmaceutical group Sidus has completed a round of voluntary redundancies covering all areas of the company. The deadline for take-up was Friday October 31. The company's objective was to reduce staff levels...

The Argentine pharmaceutical company Savant has cut the ribbon at a new softgel capsule plant in the town of El Tío, Córdoba. English version In Córdoba– The Argentine pharmaceutical company Savant has cut the ribbon at a new softgel capsule plant in the town of El Tío, Córdoba. During a tour of...

US pharma company Abbott has completed its acquisition of Chilean firm CFR Recalcine, doubling its presence in the Latin American generics market. English version US pharma company Abbott has completed its acquisition of Chilean firm CFR Recalcine, doubling its presence in the Latin American generics market.  See press release Abbott secured more than 99% of CFR’s common stock via a takeover...

Argentina's Roemmers group has signed an agreement to take on most of the products belonging to Italian pharmaceutical firm Menarini, which abandoned Argentina in April. English version Argentina's Roemmers group has signed an agreement to take on most of the products belonging to Italian pharmaceutical firm Menarini, which abandoned Argentina...

The Swedish laboratory Ferring has sold the Dupomar line, which they had acquired ten years before, to the national company Investi. English version The Swedish laboratory Ferring has sold the Dupomar line, which they had acquired ten years before, to the national company Investi. The $ 4 million deal comprises the sale of Calcio Base Dupomar, Citramar, Deltrox, Filotricin, Mar-V and Piroxicam. The transaction...

Argentine president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner has announced the addition of three new vaccines to the country's official immunisation schedule at a cost of $82 million. English version Argentine president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner has announced the addition of three new vaccines to the country's official immunisation schedule at a cost of $82...

Argentine company Bagó has entered a joint venture with Dutch firm Synthon. The new enterprise, Synthon Bagó, is to specialise in multiple sclerosis. English version Argentine company Bagó has entered a joint venture with Dutch firm Synthon. The new enterprise, Synthon Bagó, is to specialise in multiple sclerosis. The agreement, sealed in Amsterdam,...

The Argentinean laboratory Elea and the British company Phoenix –which is part of the firm GlaxoSmithKline – have sold many of their non-core products in Argentina. English version The Argentinean laboratory Elea and the British company Phoenix –which is part of the firm GlaxoSmithKline – have sold many of their non-core...

The Italian laboratory Menarini has decided to close its operations in Argentina. The decision was announced yesterday at the Ministry of Labor after a meeting on previously announced layoffs. English version The Italian laboratory Menarini has decided to close its operations in Argentina. The company formally announced the decision yesterday at the Ministry of Labor after a meeting on previously...

The British Company GSK has touched several sore spots in its latest annual report with strong statements about intellectual property, pricing controls, and emerging markets’ protectionist policies. English version The British Company GSK has touched several sore spots in its latest annual report with strong statements about intellectual property, pricing controls,...

Pharmaceutical company B+L, now renamed Valeant, is downsizing on a major scale in Argentina.The first step came back in September when the company cut ties with Máximo Pförtner. English version Pharmaceutical company B+L, now renamed Valeant, is downsizing on a major scale in Argentina. The first step came back in September when the company cut...

Argentine president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner opened the 132nd assembly of the National Congress in Buenos Aires on Saturday, marking the start of the 2014 legislative sessions. English version  Argentine president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner opened the 132nd assembly of the National Congress in Buenos Aires on Saturday (March 1), marking the start of the 2014 legislative...

The national laboratory Savant revamped its name. The company that was founded by Mauro Bono now changed its name to “Savant” in a strategic reduction associated with simplicity. English Version The national laboratory Savant revamped its name. The company that was founded by Mauro Bono now changed its name to “Savant” in a strategic reduction associated with simplicity. However, Savant...

Julio Scardigli's Dromex Group has cut the ribbon on a new soft capsule plant at the recently-opened Ezeiza industrial estate in the province of Buenos Aires. English version Julio Scardigli's Dromex Group has cut the ribbon on a new soft capsule plant at the recently-opened Ezeiza industrial estate in the province...

The noted Jorge Hané and the no less renowned pharmaceutical businessman Hernán López Bernabó signed an agreement between companies. English version The noted Jorge Hané and the no less renowned pharmaceutical businessman Hernán López Bernabó signed an agreement between companies. They both put their signatures so that the popular product Reduce Fat...

After  21  years in the  company, Fabio Capano leaves the German Boehringer Ingelheim as of January 2014. English version Fabio Capano leaves the German Boehringer Ingelheim as of January 2014. It  will  be  after  21  years in the  company  and the last  six months  as the main  responsible person for the South...

The American Pfizer has appointed Adriana Belardinelli as site manager of its manufacturing plant in Argentina. English version The American Pfizer has appointed Adriana Belardinelli as site manager of its manufacturing plant in Argentina. With this decision, the company has put two women in key positions to carry out the most...

Roemmers group launched a line of instant formulas named Nutri Baby through its laboratory Argentia. English version Roemmers group launched a line of instant formulas named Nutri Baby through its laboratory Argentia. This new business unit is based on the acquisition of the small local firm Nutry Baby which the company made about three years...

The American company Merck announced a global initiative aiming to focus on R&D as well as cutting back on trade costs. English version The American company Merck announced a global initiative aiming to focus on R&D as well as cutting back on trade costs. In the context of that plan, it will dismiss 20% of its...

Baby formula market is changing by leaps and bounds in the region. It is a constantly growing business on which mega companies have had their eyes over the last few years. English version Baby formula market is changing by leaps and bounds in the region. It is a constantly growing business...

Pharmaceutical company GSK is on tenterhooks after the Chinese  government accused it of being behind a massive corruption scandal. English version Pharmaceutical company GSK is on tenterhooks after the Chinese  government accused it of being behind a massive corruption scandal. It is suspected of paying bribes to doctors, hospitals and bureaucrats, among...

The national firm Laboratorios Cassará reached an agreement with the Canadian company Apotex in order to participate in its local operation. English version The national firm Laboratorios Cassará reached an agreement with the Canadian company Apotex in order to participate in its local operation. Therefore, the company which landed in Argentina in 2011 implementing...

Roemmers Group continues to create new business units and to forge projects. This time, it gave shape to its division baptized Belleza y Salud -Beauty and Health. English version Roemmers Group continues to create new business units and to forge projects. This time, it gave shape to its division baptized Belleza y Salud...

The national laboratory Novocap is tying its boots to go out into the field with a cutting-edge and differentiated technology in the local market. English Version The national laboratory Novocap is tying its boots to go out into the field with a cutting-edge and differentiated technology in the local market....

The IMS World Review 2013 took place today at the Buenos Aires Auditorium in the Recoleta neighbourhood. The event had a special flavour this year because IMS is celebrating 40 years in Argentina. English version The IMS World Review 2013 took place today at the Buenos Aires Auditorium in the Recoleta neighbourhood. The event...

The leading producer of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in Argentina had adverse results in the 2012 business year that continued during the first quarter of 2013. English version The leading producer of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in Argentina had adverse results in the 2012 business year that continued during the first...

The Canadian pharmaceutical company Valeant, agreed to acquire the laboratory specialized in ophthalmology Bausch & Lomb, owned by the Warburg Pincus fund. English version The Canadian pharmaceutical company Valeant, which sold its assets in Argentina in 2008, agreed to acquire the laboratory specialized in ophthalmology Bausch & Lomb, owned by the Warburg Pincus fund. In order to carry...

English Version The mexican laboratorio Genomma is looking for new brands to reinforce its growth in the dermocosmetics and over the counter medicine business. Therefore, it recently acquired Piecidex from the national company Andrómaco. Mexican laboratory Genomma acquired Piecidex from the Argentine firm Andrómaco. In this way, the company that is steadily climbing...