Cadila Healthcare Ltd (Zydus Cadila) on Tuesday informed that the company has entered into an exclusive agreement with Russian company Pharm Aid Ltd for the technology knowhow on varicella vaccine production in the Russian Federation.

Through this agreement, Zydus gains access to the public and private market segments in the Russian Federation, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan.

Cadila Healthcare stock was trading 0.18 per cent down at Rs 485.65 on the BSE.

"We welcome this opportunity to participate in and partner biotech opportunities in the Russian Federation market. As an innovation-driven global healthcare player, our aim has always been to bridge unmet healthcare needs by improving accessibility to preventives and novel therapies," said Sharvil Patel, Managing Director, Zydus Cadila.

The exclusive agreement was signed at the 'Biotechmed' conference in Gelendzhik, Russia.

Pharm Aid Ltd has been set up by Nacimbio together with Ishvan Pharmaceuticals Ltd for the localisation of innovative vaccine production in Russia. Pharm Aid and Nacimbio represent one of the largest state corporations.

The agreement aims to bring in a continuous supply of vaccines which could be included in the critical childhood immunisation programme. So far, due to uncertain supply of indigenous varicella vaccine, it doesn't feature in the National Immunisation Programme.

The demand is estimated at 3 million dosages per annum in the Russian Federation alone.

"Today has marked the beginning of high-priority projects that will enable market launch in a few years of new home-made modern vaccines that meet global quality standards. This is a momentous event for Russian healthcare system, the result of successful co-operation of the State and business intended to reduce dependence on import in socially significant areas," said Sergey Chemezov, CEO of Rostec State Corporation.

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