An overview of some of the biggest news from Latin American pharma, including Onconic Therapeutics’ licensing deal with Laboratorios Sanfer for 19 LatAm countries; Lupin’s orphan drug partnership with Argentina’s Celnova Pharma; Grifols’ distribution deal with Gema Biotech; the downturn in Uruguay’s medicinal canibis industry, and Novartis’ increased clinical trial investment in Brazil.
Drug black market is worth more than 10% of legal sales, say pharma companies (El Economista, in Spanish)
Representatives of the pharmaceutical industry called on the next administration to resume consolidated purchases of regular medicines, which will help improve their coverage and distribution, as well as curb the black market that has grown by 11% in 2024, equivalent to 32.5 billion pesos and represents more than 10% of the total market. This was announced at a press conference by Juvenal Becerra Orozco, president of the National Union of Pharmaceutical Entrepreneurs (Unefarm).
In Mexico, Cofepris modernises its processes by digitising pharmaceutical procedures (Consultor Salud, in Spanish)
The Federal Commission for the Protection against Health Risks (Cofepris) continues to consolidate its position as a modern and efficient regulatory body with the launch of the new phase of its digital platform, DIGIPRiS. In this phase, one of the most common procedures for the pharmaceutical industry, the Modifications to the Conditions of Health Registration of Medicines, has been completely digitised, promising greater transparency, speed and efficiency in management.
Onconic Therapeutics to launch Jaqbo in 19 Latin American countries through deal with Sanfer (Korea Biomedical Review)
Onconic Therapeutics, a subsidiary of Jeil Pharmaceutical, said it signed a licensing agreement with Laboratorios Sanfer, S.A. de C.V., a Mexico-based multinational pharmaceutical company, to introduce its gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) treatment drug, Jaqbo (zastaprazan), in 19 Latin American countries. This marks the company’s first entry into the Latin American market following its previous expansions into China and India.
Lupin partners with Celnova Pharma to distribute NaMuscla in Argentina and Colombia (Express Pharma)
Global pharmaceutical company Lupin has announced that its subsidiary, Lupin Atlantis Holdings SA, has entered into a distribution agreement with Celnova Pharma for Lupin’s orphan drug, NaMuscla (mexiletine). Celnova will commercialise NaMuscla in Argentina and Colombia for the treatment of myotonia in adults with non-dystrophic myotonic (NDM) disorders. NaMuscla is the first licensed product in Europe for this specific condition.
Advent International acquires Perrigo’s pharmaceutical businesses in Mexico and Brazil (Company press release)
Advent International, one of the world’s largest and most experienced private equity investors, today announced that it has completed the acquisition of Perrigo Company plc’s Mexico- and Brazil-based pharmaceutical businesses (“Perrigo Latin America”). With this transaction, Advent builds on its regional investment strategy in the pharmaceutical sector where the firm has more than two decades of experience.
Grifols’ distribution agreement with Gema (Pharmabiz.net, in Spanish)
The company closed a deal with Gema Biotech, a firm that is part of the Latin American group Megalabs. The deal will be a representation agreement for its entire Grifols portfolio, which includes coagulation factors, immunoglobulins and albumins. In short, they are all biological products, including Prolastin C protein, Factor VIII Fanhdi and Factor XIX Grinine, used for haemophilia patients. By their very nature, they are all exclusively for hospital use.
Pot companies are fleeing Uruguay, the first nation that legalised marijuana (Buenos Aires Times)
Uruguay led the world in legalising marijuana a decade ago, but its dream of building a medical cannabis and hemp powerhouse employing thousands of people with US$1 billion in exports is facing a harsh reality check. Shipments abroad have totaled less than US$30 million since 2018 as anemic sales, red tape and miscalculations now fuel a business exodus. Uruguay’s abysmal experience, including just 750 jobs, exemplifies challenges investors face globally in building out an industry subject to intense regulatory scrutiny or outright bans in many places.
Novartis to expand investments in Brazil (Veja, in Portuguese)
The Swiss pharmaceutical group Novartis will increase investments in clinical research in Brazil, currently at around 90 million reais. The decision was taken after President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sanctioned the regulatory framework for conducting research on human beings, known as PL.
