Pharmaceutical Group of Companies Acino has signed a distribution agreement with Merz Therapeutics, a business of Merz Pharmaceuticals, for commercial sales and promotion of a number of Merz Therapeutics products in Ukraine, CIS region and Mongolia, excluding Russia, effective July 1, 2021.
Under the agreement, Acino will commercialise the product portfolio of Merz Therapeutics in the areas of gastroenterology, neurology and dermatology (hepatic encephalopathy, Parkinson’s disease, scar and hair treatment) in Ukraine, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Mongolia.
The following trademarks are covered by the agreement: Hepa-Merz, Pk-Merz, Pantogar, Contractubex, in ten SKUs.
“Partnership is the integral part of our strategy. This agreement further strengthens our presence in CIS region and neighbouring countries where we have established ourselves as a reliable manufacturer and leading provider of high-quality pharmaceuticals. With these brands, we enhanced the offer of our portfolio, providing the access for patients and healthcare professionals to innovative medicine products in selected markets. As a trusted partner we will perform import, distribution, marketing as well as patients’ awareness-raising of diseases covered by this agreement”, said Eugene Zaika, Regional Head Ukraine and CIS of Acino.
The company says it has established a strong market footprint in Ukraine and CIS region and neighbouring countries, creating jobs locally in order to ensure continuous access of medicines in emerging markets. Acino’s market share in Ukraine, reaching over 3,3%, and making the Top-5 list of pharmaceutical companies. Here the company ranks the leading positions in psychiatry, neurology, cardiology and endocrinology therapeutic areas.
“Partnership is a central strategic element at Merz Therapeutics. Therefore, I am very pleased to announce the distribution agreement we have just signed with Acino. I am glad that we have found a partner to whom partnership is as important as it is to us. I am looking forward to a collaborative partnership that is valued on both sides and is built on trust and aims to bring excellent performance to the market. Of course, this is another step, that supports our company in our mission to bring better outcomes to more patients,” said Andrea von der Lippe, VP, Head of Global Distribution Partner Management at Merz Therapeutics.