President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin took part in the launch of one of the country's largest production facilities for active pharmaceutical substances at the Promomed Group production site in Saransk.

On March 30, on the basis of JSC Biochemik, part of the Promomed group of companies, the grand opening of the plant for the production of active pharmaceutical substances (AFS) took place with the participation of President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov in the VKS mode, Head of the Republic of Mordovia Artem Zdunov and Chairman of the Council of Directors of Promomed Group of Companies Peter Bely.

The new plant is one of the country's largest active pharmaceutical substances (API) plants with a capacity of 340 tons per year for 150 types of substances. These are seven sites, two of which will synthesize molecules for the manufacture of anticancer drugs. Other sites will produce molecules for synthetic antibiotics, with the exception of beta-lactam, antiviral and antiretroviral drugs, and muscle relaxants. Investments in the project amounted to more than 3.7 billion rubles. The construction of the new plant lasted 2 years. Most of the equipment is manufactured in Russia.

It is important to note that the opening of the new Promomed Group production complex will create more than 120 jobs, which is especially important for the region.

"The development of our own production of substances opens the way to obtaining more innovative molecules, which will make it possible to become more independent of imports and establish a full cycle of drug production within the country. To ensure Russia's security in all its aspects, its own synthesis of substances is as important as space exploration," said Petr Bely.

Until recently, Russia was more than 80% dependent on the import of active pharmaceutical substances. Thanks to the opening of a new plant, Promomed increases the availability of modern, effective and safe medicines for Russian citizens. The company plans to further expand its portfolio of drugs for the treatment of socially significant diseases and their full-cycle production.

"Now we are opening the production of substances. But this is preceded by a lot of work on drug development. Our manufacturers sometimes have to contact foreign laboratories. We want to ensure our complete independence here. Therefore, we are working on the issue of creating a federal center in the republic that will allow us to develop medicines," said Artyom Zdunov.

As of the beginning of 2022, the share of foreign substances accounted for about 80% of the total volume on the Russian market. Of this volume, India and China supplied 76.7%, the EU countries – 19.7%, and the rest – 3.6%.