Rapid emergence of MENA biologics industry sees first ever Biopharma Conference and new venue at CPHI Istanbul 2017

Developments in local manufacturing, regulatory strategies, market entry and harmonisation to be debated by MENA leaders and Government.

This year, the MENA region’s most prestigious pharma show is housed in a new venue – the Istanbul Expo Centre (IFM) – as CPHI Istanbul sees a huge 72% increase in floor space and exhibitors since its inauguration.

A rapidly emerging MENA biologics industry in both Turkey and the wider region sees key trends in biopharmaceutical, biosimilars and biobetters debated. With the goal of developing Turkey as an R&D and technology hub, the Government has put place a number of measures to stimulate expansion of biotechnology and biopharmaceutical activities. For example, incentive schemes covering as much as 50% of expenditures related to biopharm R&D, and many Turkish pharma manufacturers are seeing this as a major new revenue stream.

The Biopharma Conference launching at CPHI Istanbul is being undertaken with the full backing of local and national Government. It will see 3 days of content-led sessions and 300 speakers and delegates discuss the opportunities for companies in Turkey and the MENA region. The conference includes educational and analytical sessions on IP security, regulatory procedures and market strategies; as well as the future of biosimilars, clinical trials and R&D in the area.

The conference includes in-depth analysis and advice on ‘Turkey Local guidelines, incentives, and government funding in Turkey', ‘Future of Biosimilars & Biobetters: regional and global outlook and sales forecast’ and ‘Regulatory Strategies: Addressing IP Issues’; and will also provide sessions on ‘Successful Market Strategies, Case Studies & Business Models’.

Orhan Caglayan, Brand Director CPHI Istanbul at UBM EMEA, commented: “The Turkish pharma industry has grown a robust rate in the last few years and the return for the 4th edition of CPHI Istanbul incorporating BioPh, is opening many new opportunities for this domestic market and for regional exports. Turkey is now the fastest growing economy in the OCED and already posses the 8th largest pharma market in Europe. Biologics and biotechnology are now emerging as key trends alongside the industry’s core strengths in ingredients and solid dose drugs, where we have seen a steady rise in exhibitors.”

Moreover, in the past, 50% of the pharma industry relied on imports, but increasingly both the government and manufacturers are looking to source local ingredients, which is driving increased interest for CPHI Istanbul. There are 80+ production facilities, with export markets for both ingredients and finished dose in central Asia and the Middle East. To help navigate these options CPHI Istanbul will also include several Roundtable discussions – with a panel of analysts, consultants, regulators, pharma companies and experts – on the ‘drug registration processes’, ‘marketing channels’, ‘pricing and reimbursement’, and ‘business culture and economic outlook’ amongst others. The 12 sessions will analyse and discuss business critical and pharma market issues, with limited slots for 10 attendees at a time.

Featured highlights at CPHI Istanbul 2017 include:

CPHI Istanbul is part of the Hosted Buyer Programme of the Turkish Ministry of Economy, which enables costs of eligible clients to be covered by the Ministry. The event is heavily supported by the Turkish Ministry of Health, Turkish Ministry of Economy and the Presidency of Administration of Small and Medium Sized Industrial Enterprises (KOSGEB).