Six innovative pharmaceutical products from two knowledge-based companies within the Golrang Pharmaceutical Group were unveiled at the 9th International Exhibition of Pharmaceutical Products and Related Industries (Iran Pharma 2024) held at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla.
As reported by the GPI’s PR, the unveiling ceremony of these six new products was attended by prominent figures such as Mr. Gholamhossein Sadeghian, Director-General of Drugs and Controlled Substances at the Food and Drug Organization of Iran, Mr. Masoud Sezaavar, Deputy Director of Golrang Industroial Group(GIG), Ms. Mehri Abdolvand, Vice President of Human Resources at the GIG, and Mr. Mehdi Soleimanjahy, Secretary of the Syndicate of Human Pharmaceutical Industries of Iran.
Mr. Ghasemali Ashofteh, CEO and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Golrang Pharmaceutical Investment Company, announced the first product from the knowledge-based company, Varian Pharmed, is Buprenorphine 100/300 mg Slow-Release, generically known as Buprenorphine. This medication is classified as an analgesic and is used for pain management and addiction treatment.
Mr. Ashofteh explained that this drug is effective in treating severe and chronic pain and is also used for addiction treatment in individuals with moderate to severe opioid dependence. He emphasized that the technology employed in this medication is In situ forming, and it is the first of its kind to be produced in Iran. The administration of this drug is subcutaneous (SC), and it is prescribed once every four weeks.
“Variorlix” for the treatment of infertility
Varian pharmed, a renowned knowledge-based company, introduces its innovative product, Variolelix 250 mg, a groundbreaking solution for infertility treatment. The generic name of this medication is Variolelix, classified as a GnRH antagonist.
Mr. Ashofte elaborates on the drug’s mechanism, stating, Variolelix competitively inhibits GnRH receptors, leading to rapid and reversible suppression of gonadotropin secretion. By preventing the premature release of LH, it effectively inhibits early maturation of oocytes.
This medication finds its application in infertility treatment, utilizing a pre-filled syringe (PFS) technology for convenient administration.
The company’s CEO proudly highlights that this product is the first of its kind to be manufactured in Iran.
Tetrabenazine for the treatment of Huntington’s disease
The innovative pharmaceutical company, Soroush Mana Pharmed, has developed an active pharmaceutical ingredient, Tetrabenazine, which has been recognized as a Level One knowledge-based product. This compound is a key component in the production of an oral medication, also named Tetrabenazine, which is used to treat various neurological disorders.
Tetrabenazine belongs to a class of neurological drugs and is highly effective in managing uncontrollable movements associated with Huntington’s disease, Hemiballismus, Senile chorea, Tourette syndrome, and Tardive dyskinesia. Furthermore, it has been historically utilized as an antipsychotic medication for the treatment of schizophrenia.
The CEO of Golrang Pharmaceutical Group explained that Tetrabenazine acts as a central monoamine depletor, exerting its therapeutic effects by reducing monoamine neurotransmitters in the brain, such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. By reversibly inhibiting VMAT2 receptors, it decreases the uptake of monoamines by synaptic vesicles, ultimately leading to reduced monoamine storage.
Soroush Mana Pharmed is the first and only company in Iran to produce this pharmaceutical ingredient, which has been certified by the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology as a knowledge-based product. With an annual production capacity of 400 kilograms, the company estimates that it will generate substantial revenue amounting to 1.5 million dollars in foreign exchange earnings.
“Nalbuphine hydrochloride”, an analgesic drug
Nalbuphine Hydrochloride, a potent painkiller, has found its fourth iteration in the capable hands of Soroush Mana Pharmed, a knowledge-based company. This innovative product serves as a critical component in both injectable and oral medications, offering relief to those in need. The injectable form, introduced to the global pharmaceutical market in 1963, is a synthetic agonist-antagonist opioid analgesic, part of the phenanthrene series.
The pain-relieving prowess of Nalbuphine is comparable to that of morphine on a milligram basis. It is commonly used as a pre-operative anesthetic and as a potent analgesic for moderate to severe pain management.
Golrang Pharmaceutical Group’s CEO proudly announced that Soroush Mana Pharmed is the first and only producer of this medication in the country, accredited by the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology as a Level 1 knowledge-based product. The medication is primarily exported, with its entire production capacity dedicated to international markets, bringing significant foreign exchange earnings.
Soroush Mana Pharmed’s annual production capacity is 500 kilograms of Nalbuphine Hydrochloride, which is estimated to generate over $1.5 million in annual foreign exchange revenue.
“Sacubitril/valsartan” for the control of heart failure
The CEO of Golrang Pharmaceutical Group announced the fifth product, Sacubitril/Valsartan, developed by the knowledge-based company Soroush Mana Pharmed. This innovative combination drug is designed to treat chronic heart failure, containing two active ingredients: Sacubitril, a neprilysin inhibitor, and Valsartan, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist.
This unique combination simultaneously promotes vasodilation, reduces blood volume, and enhances cardiac function. The drug has rapidly become a new global standard for treating heart failure, with its usage expanding worldwide due to its clinical advantages. It effectively reduces heart failure-related complications, decreases mortality rates, and improves patients’ quality of life.
Primarily prescribed for chronic heart failure in patients with reduced ejection fraction, Sacubitril/Valsartan serves as an alternative to ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor antagonists, demonstrating superior efficacy compared to traditional treatments. The primary objectives of its administration include reducing frequent hospitalizations due to heart failure, lowering mortality rates, and enhancing the overall well-being and daily functioning of heart failure patients. Soroush Mana Pharmed has an annual production capacity of 3,000 kilograms of this compound, which is expected to generate approximately $3 million in foreign currency.
“Telmisartan” to control high blood pressure
The CEO of Golrang Pharmaceutical Group highlighted the sixth product, Telmisartan, developed by the knowledge-based company Soroush Mana Pharmed, as an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. This medication is primarily used for the treatment of high blood pressure and certain cardiovascular conditions. By inhibiting the action of the angiotensin II hormone, which causes blood vessels to constrict and raises blood pressure, Telmisartan promotes vasodilation and effectively lowers blood pressure.
Telmisartan has gained global recognition as a preferred medication for managing hypertension. Its popularity stems from its positive impact on reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including strokes and heart attacks, making it a favored choice among physicians and patients alike.
The CEO further emphasized that Telmisartan is primarily indicated for the treatment of hypertension and improving cardiac function in patients with heart failure or those at risk of cardiovascular diseases. It is administered as a long-term treatment to control blood pressure and mitigate associated risks, such as strokes, coronary artery diseases, and other cardiac complications.
Soroush Mana Pharmed has taken the lead in the production of Telmisartan within Iran, boasting an annual production capacity of 2,000 kilograms. This achievement is expected to generate approximately $150,000 in foreign currency.
The 9th International Exhibition of Pharmaceutical Products and Related Industries (Iran Pharma 2024) is currently taking place from October 3rd to 5th, 2024, at the Imam Khomeini Grand Prayer Grounds.
