7 Chemicals, an Ahmedabad-based exporter of pharmaceutical raw material, finished formulations and chemicals, has entered into an US$1.5 million contract manufacturing agreement with a French pharmaceutical company to supply diagnostic kits for tuberculosis in Russia.

As per the agreement, the French partner will manufacture the diagnostic kits and 7chemicals will market the product in Russia, as per a supply agreement 7chemicals is having with the Ministry of Defence of Russia.

Apart from the TB diagnostic kits, the partners will also supply products like Hepatitis B and C vaccines, and a few other formulations. 7chemicals has plans to launch the diagnostic kits in Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Ukraine. Already the company has done product registrations in three countries and will soon apply for drug registration in Ukraine, informed Rakesh, managing director, 7chemicals.

Further, the company has opened an office in Canada and is in the process of recruiting B Pharm graduates for its Canada operations, following its recent exclusive marketing deal with the Canadian generics major Apotex to market its products in the Russian and CIS countries.

As reported, Apotex will supply bulk drugs in semi-finished form to 7 Chemicals, which will process and pack the drugs in Russia through its partner Patchem Preparthy, a large-scale drug maker in the province of Tartasten. 7 Chemicals in Russia and CIS will market about thirty products in various therapeutic segments of Apotex. Apotex also has a supply agreement with Aeromed of Azerbaijan to supply oncology, cardiovascular and gastroenterological drugs, worth 2 million USD per annum. The products are contract manufactured in India by 7chemicals.

7chemicals has marketing offices in Moscow, Georgia and Azerbaijan, Armenia, Chile, Philippines and South Africa and exports products to about 45 countries.