Mamuka Mikhelashvili, CEO of Solopharm, provided comments to RBC St. Petersburg for an article examining the development of the Russian pharmaceutical industry, the role of St. Petersburg as one of the country’s key pharmaceutical clusters, and the prospects for developing new medicines.
In the article, «An Old Friend Is Better Than Two New Ones: Why the Pharmaceutical Market Is Growing on Generics,» RBC St. Petersburg analyzes trends in the Russian pharmaceutical market, the development of domestic manufacturing, and the opportunities for companies to move from generic medicines toward more complex pharmaceutical development.
Mamuka Mikhelashvili noted that St. Petersburg provides a strong environment for pharmaceutical development, with the necessary conditions in place for the simultaneous advancement of technology, manufacturing, and in-house R&D. According to him, ongoing investment projects across the industry further demonstrate the significant potential of the St. Petersburg pharmaceutical cluster.
Commenting on the role of generics and original medicines, Solopharm’s CEO emphasized that the two should not be viewed as opposing approaches.
High-quality generics help ensure access to effective therapies, while original drug development enables the creation of new treatment solutions and advances medical practice. At the same time, the development of generics has enabled Russian pharmaceutical companies to build manufacturing capabilities, establish quality-control systems, and develop their own R&D teams — competencies that now provide a foundation for moving toward more complex products.
For Solopharm, biotechnology is becoming one of these strategic areas.
«One of Solopharm’s key development priorities is biotechnology. We are investing in R&D, technological capabilities, and specialist training to ensure that the necessary expertise is developed within the company,» Mamuka Mikhelashvili said.
Today, Solopharm has its own scientific and technological infrastructure. The company’s R&D center has been operating since 2014, with more than 100 specialists supporting the full pharmaceutical development cycle. At the same time, the company continues to expand its product portfolio, develop new dosage forms, and work on improving the convenience and effectiveness of its medicines.
Another strategic priority for Solopharm is strengthening technological independence.
The company also plans to continue expanding its international presence, viewing it not only as an opportunity to enter new markets, but also as a way to validate its own developments across a broader range of markets.
The full RBC St. Petersburg article featuring comments from Mamuka Mikhelashvili is available via the link
