BIO 2014 Convention

One of the world's most important organizations in the field of biotechnology, International Biotechnology Convention,  this year was held in San Diego on June 23th – 26th. Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Turkey (IEIS) took place at the Turkey Pavilion.

By gathering thousands of public instutions, associations and companies which are active in the field of pharmaceuticals, the key event of the global industry, International Bio Convention, offers opportunities such as improving bilateral relations and getting in contact with global players. By the coordination of the Republic of Turkey Prime Ministry, Investment, Support and Promotion Agency, under the leadership of Minister of Development, Cevdet Yılmaz, this year Turkey participated BIO 2014 for the third time. At the Turkish Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association’s (IEIS) stand situated in the pavilion, information both about the Association and the Turkish Pharmaceutical Exporters were given.

Secretary General Turgut Tokgöz: “Transforming our industry into a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer and exporter and enhancing R&D capacity are two main goals for our Association.”

The Turkish Pharma industry has a century-old culture of production, state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure, qualifed human resources and large production capacity. In its modern and technologically advanced facilities, the Turkish pharma industry meets the requirements of developed markets. Our products are exported to more than 150 countries. Transforming our industry into a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer and exporter and enhancing R&D capacity are two main goals for our Association. Pharma companies in Turkey have increased their investments in R&D in recent years. The number of accredited R&D centers is rapidly increasing.

This number will increase in the forthcoming period since benefiting from the R&D Centers incentive criteria is up to the number of full-time R&D employers and it was reduced from 50 to 30 by Council of Ministers upon our suggestions. If the R&D field is supported with the correct strategic planning, our country will not only be able to produce value-added generic products and biosimilars but will also be in a position to export them.

Biotechnological products have been gradually strengthening its role in the world pharmaceutical market. In accordance with the developments in the world, production of biotechnological products seems mandatory for our industry. Our know-how on biotechnology is relatively less than our long standing experience on conventional drug production. Therefore this field needs to be improved rapidly.

As you know, also our Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, defined medical biotechnology as one of the key areas that will shape our country’s future. “Setting up a competitive structure which produces value-added generics and biotechnological/biosimilar products, is our country’s goal” declared Mr. Erdoğan.

Our companies have started to work on this. Also the government’s support mechanism for the development of this area is extremely positive. In addition to the incentives on production and R&D investments, the policies of the Ministry of Health and the Social Security Institution should support the products developed and produced locally.

In Turkey, biotechnological products are approximately 13% of the total market.

Biotechological pharmaceuticals are produced by biologic methods from organisms and living systems rather than chemical compounds. Biosimilars, which are the versions of the reference biotechnological products, are produced after the protection period.

Biotechnological products have been gradually strengthening its role in the world pharmaceutical market. In 2002 these products were 10% of the world market and today they’re almost 20% of it. Since the products, which are produced by synthesis chemistry, are reducing, many companies are taking steps for getting into the field of biotechnology. In Turkey biotechnological products market reached to 797 million USD and 13% of the total market. Biosimilars account for 1,4% of the market, their percentage is growing rapidly.