Eisai to enter Russian pharma market

Hannah Blake

pharmaphorum

Japanese pharmaceutical company Eisai has announced it is expanding into Russia, by establishing a new sales and marketing operation in Moscow. Eisai’s market entry will be based on launching its in-house developed innovative breast cancer treatment, Halaven (eribulin), most likely during the second quarter of 2013.

Following this, Eisai expects to launch its epilepsy portfolio including: Zonegran (Zonisamide) and Exalief (eslicarbazepine acetate). The company will also seek regulatory approval of Fycompa (perampanel) and Inovelon (rufinamide).

"Eisai's entry into Russia is fully aligned with the company's wider strategy of establishing a solid foundation in the EMEA region. We currently have a number of products in the final stages of approval and hope to launch four to five products within a year of market entry. This will allow Russian patients' to have access to innovative treatments not previously available to them and further supports Eisai's human health care (hhc) mission to satisfy unmet medical needs and contribute to the health and well-being of people worldwide."

Gary Hendler, Eisai President &amp, CEO, Russia and EMEA.

The Russian healthcare market is one of the fastest growing markets in the world. The pharmaceutical industry has seen significant expansion over the last few years and it holds strong potential for double-digit growth in the next six years. By 2020, analysts expect the Russian pharmaceutical market to reach a value of US $60 billion, with annual growth rates of at least 15%.