Bringing Better Health Within Reach: Improving access to medicine as the partner of choice in MENA

London, 28 August 2024 - In our ongoing series exploring Hikma Pharmaceutical's role as the partner of choice in the MENA region, this second instalment highlights how since our founding, Hikma has been dedicated to addressing the high unmet healthcare needs in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Our journey has evolved into a story of expansive growth and innovation, all aimed at improving patient access to high-quality, world-class medicines. Now, as the second-largest pharmaceutical company in MENA by sales¹, Hikma's unique position stems from our deep understanding of local healthcare landscapes combined with our global expertise. Our presence across 17 markets gives us an unparalleled footprint that allows us to support the region's healthcare needs.

A rapidly growing population, increasing prevalence of cancer and chronic diseases, and disparities in healthcare access across the region continue to drive demand for high-quality, differentiated and innovative healthcare solutions across the MENA region. Hikma has been playing an important part in addressing these issues for over four decades, leveraging our extensive local footprint and deep understanding of the regional healthcare landscape. Hikma's commitment to bringing better health within reach is evident in our continuous efforts to enhance our increasingly diverse product portfolio and pipeline.

Our focus on expanding our portfolio, particularly in oncology and immunology, is responding to the region's evolving needs. We work with global innovators to bring treatments and wider healthcare solutions to MENA like Guardant Health for cancer diagnostics, Rakuten Medical for innovative cancer treatments and Junshi Biosciences for an innovative anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody. These partnerships, along with the work of our R&D teams, are improving cancer care in the region. We've been investing in building dedicated manufacturing capacity for oncology products in MENA, particularly in countries that do not have direct access to these medications. In Algeria, we were the first local manufacturer of oral oncology medications. We also have the only local oral oncology plant in Egypt. Our API plant in Jordan, one of the first established in the region with US FDA approval, supports our oncology efforts and gives us a competitive edge in meeting patient needs.

Our longstanding partnership with Celltrion Healthcare continues to grow and develop our biosimilar portfolio, complementing our strategy of building a diverse range of differentiated products for an evolving sector poised for substantial growth in the region.

Our local manufacturing efforts are also a testament to the power of global expertise applied to meeting local needs. Through our 20 manufacturing plants in the region, with US FDA and EMA inspected facilities in Jordan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), we ensure high international standards. We are currently expanding our manufacturing capabilities further with two nearly completed sterile injectable plants in Algeria and Morocco and plans underway for a new manufacturing complex in Saudi Arabia. This expansion is aligned with our aim to increase access to essential medicines accommodating local needs and/or requirements across our markets.

Being the first pharmaceutical company to have US FDA-inspected facilities in the region, we have set a benchmark for higher quality manufacturing standards. However, our commitment to the region goes beyond manufacturing. We have been dedicated to bringing cutting-edge technology and innovation in all aspects to the region from the beginning. For example, we were the first company to launch innovative products for organ transplants, we helped shape regulatory guidelines that increase access to bio-better products and innovative biologics, and we were the first company to launch new oncology solutions.

Looking ahead, we are well-positioned to provide broader healthcare solutions by leveraging our unique operating model in the region. For multinational companies who are looking to make a meaningful impact in MENA healthcare, Hikma offers more than just market access. Supported by our highly experienced team in MENA, ranging from regulatory to medical to market access to compliance to commercial etc., our extensive operational reach distinguishes us in the region. All of this coupled with our track record of having successful long-term partnerships with multinational companies establishes our position as the partner of choice. We are proud to be able to offer a partnership built on deep regional knowledge, global expertise, and a shared vision of shaping a healthier world.

As we continue to invest, innovate, and evolve, together, we can play an important part in transforming the next chapter in MENA's healthcare story to improve patient outcomes across the region.

¹ _{IQVIA MIDAS Pharma Index MAT May-2024. Does not include hospital or tender business}

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