Fiocruz and EMS Sign Historic Technology Transfer Agreement for GLP-1 Diabetes and Obesity Drugs
Key Insights
Brazil's Fiocruz (search) and pharmaceutical company EMS (search) signed unprecedented partnership agreements to produce liraglutide and semaglutide, marking a significant advancement for the national pharmaceutical industry in developing high-complexity solutions.
The agreements establish technology transfer for both the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient synthesis and final drug production to Farmanguinhos (search), with initial manufacturing at EMS (search)'s Hortolândia facility before full transfer to Rio de Janeiro.
These subcutaneous injections represent highly effective and innovative treatments for diabetes (search) and obesity (search), inaugurating Fiocruz (search)'s strategy to expand into injectable medication production.
Brazil's Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz (search)) and pharmaceutical company EMS (search) have signed two unprecedented partnership agreements for the production of liraglutide and semaglutide, the active ingredients in GLP-1 (search) agonist drugs used for treating diabetes (search) and obesity (search). The agreements were signed on July 6 during an event in Brasília, marking a historic milestone for the Brazilian pharmaceutical industry.
Technology Transfer Framework
The agreements establish the transfer of technology for both the synthesis of the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) and the final drug production to Farmanguinhos (search), Fiocruz (search)'s technical-scientific unit. Initially, production will be carried out at the EMS (search) factory in Hortolândia, São Paulo state, until the entire production technology is transferred to the Farmanguinhos Drug Technology Complex in Rio de Janeiro.
"This is a historic milestone for EMS (search) and for the Brazilian pharmaceutical industry. Developing, registering, and producing high-complexity medications with 100% national technology, and now transferring it to Fiocruz (search), reaffirms our commitment to innovation," said EMS president Carlos Sanchez.
Strategic Significance for National Healthcare
The subcutaneous injections offer a highly effective approach and are considered innovative for the treatment of diabetes (search) and obesity (search), marking another significant advancement for the national industry in developing high-complexity solutions. Fiocruz (search)'s Vice President of Health Production and Innovation, Priscila Ferraz, emphasized the collaborative nature of the initiative.
"By joining forces with public and private partners, we combine excellence and innovation. This initiative contributes to the diversification of partners and the expansion of Fiocruz (search)'s production portfolio," Ferraz stated.
Expanding Injectable Drug Manufacturing
Farmanguinhos (search) director Silvia Santos highlighted the strategic importance of this partnership for Fiocruz (search)'s future manufacturing capabilities. "Liraglutide and semaglutide inaugurate Fiocruz's strategy to also prepare for the production of injectable medications, with the possibility of incorporating a new pharmaceutical form. It is another action to strengthen the Health Economic-Industrial Complex," Santos emphasized.
Regulatory Context
The partnership comes amid increased regulatory oversight of GLP-1 (search) medications in Brazil. Since June, pharmacies and drugstores have been required to retain prescriptions for weight-loss pens. Brazil's national drug regulator Anvisa implemented this measure in April to protect public health, "particularly due to the high incidence of adverse events associated with the use of these medications beyond the indications approved by Anvisa."
Industry Impact
The partnership announcement was made during the third edition of the Health Forum, held in partnership between the think tank Esfera Brasil and EMS (search). The event brought together members of the Three Branches of Government, authorities, business leaders, and experts to discuss advances in the development of the healthcare sector in the country.
Camila Funaro Camargo Dantas, CEO of Esfera Brasil, emphasized that the Forum serves as a strategic space to find solutions that improve the Brazilian population's access to healthcare. "Technological innovation, operational efficiency, and investments are pillars for strengthening the national pharmaceutical industry, driving the country's overall economic dynamism," she stated.
The signing ceremony was attended by key figures including Fiocruz (search)'s Vice President of Health Production and Innovation Priscila Ferraz, Farmanguinhos (search) director Silvia Santos, EMS (search) president Carlos Sanchez, and Minister of Health Alexandre Padilha.