Pernambuco is innovating once again in the modern and lucrative industry of prescription drugs and biotechnology, constructing Brazil’s first Pharmaceutical Cluster. The cutting edge initiative aims to convert an area of 345 hectares in the municipality of Goiana (on the BR-101, the main highway in the country, currently being duplicated), companies and academic researchers, a strategic alliance.
The Pharmaceuticals Cluster is in line with the Policy of Productive Development (PDP), part of projects initiated by the Ministry of Health and Foreign Industry and Commerce Development. The governments respect patents and regulatory norms of the sector.
The conception and implantation of the enterprise are part of a robust statewide public policy, which includes concession of specific fiscal incentives and the guarantee of adequate infrastructure.
Due to its general characteristics, the Pharmaceutical Cluster is being constructed as a world class enterprise. Pernambuco State is unique in Brazil in concentrating so many favorable criteria in one initiative. From their operations in Pernambuco, companies can construct bases for international operations, supplying neighboring markets such as Africa and America.
Facilities for investors
Renowned scientific experts (post-graduate and research groups) working with the pharmaceutical productive chain: Chemical and medical pharmaceutics; Pharmaceutical toxicology; Molecular biology; cellular and structural; Nanotechnology; Optics; Electronics; New Materials; Bio-information; Biomedical engineering; Regional economy, innovation and industry; Copyright.
Availability of governmental, financial, institutional, industrial, and scientific initiatives, such as: availability of credit from financial institutions linked to the Federal Government (Northeast Bank and National Economic Development Bank – Linha Profarma).
Nationally and internationally recognized experts from: School Hospital (Clinics, Oswaldo Cruz and IMIP), Lafepe, Hemope, Cetene (Northeastern Center of Strategic Technologies), CRCN (Regional Center of Nuclear Science) and INCT-IF (National Institute of Science and Technology in Pharmaceutical Innovation)
Experience with other cluster initiatives: Porto Digital, Electric-electronic technological Park of Pernambuco, Petrochemical Cluster of Suape.
Goiana municipality has a vast area of environmental reserves where the temperature varies between 20c and 30c with an average of 23c, and an annual rainfall of 2.056mm. It boasts an excellent water table and pure air, vital for this type of enterprise.
Main projects and companies
Hemobras – This is a public company, tied to the Health Ministry, whose objective is the production of blood derivatives and biotechnology. Using advanced technology, Hemobras intends to make Brazil self sufficient in the production of some elements of disease treatment. It will occupy an area of 25 hectares. Some examples of products include: factor VIII, IX, and Von Willebrand factor (used, among others, by hemophiliac patients).
Novartis - The construction of the Swiss factory is in line with the Brazilian government’s aim to become self sufficient in vaccine production. The plant will offer a flexible platform for the fabrication of bacterial vaccine based on glycol-conjugation, which are among the most modern vaccines and are highly effective in cases of serious, potentially deadly diseases such as meningitis. The plant will occupy 36 hectares and will be the first Novartis vaccination factory in Latin America. The factory is forecast to begin operations in 2014.
