Local drug maker to enter European market

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet

Ahmet Toksöz (2nd L) pose with executives from Toksöz Holding and Sanovel. Sanovel bids to sell breathing apparatuses for patients suffering from asthma in Europe. Hürriyet photo

Toksöz Holding’s Sanovel, a drug manufacturing firm, has begun producing breathing apparatuses for patients suffering from chronic lung disease and asthma. Sanovel plans to export the apparatuses to Europe, according to daily Hürriyet.

There are about 8 million patients suffering from chronic lung disease and asthma, Ahmet Toksöz, a board member of the holding, said. “There are potential patients both in Turkey and around the world. We have conducted six years of research and development work, with a total investment of 10 million euro.”
Sanovel is the first domestic firm to produce products in this field, Toksöz said, adding that the firm’s goal was to be the market leader within three years.

Sanovel has founded a firm in the Netherlands to export its products across Europe. The firm has liaison offices in France and Germany. “Apart from that, exports will commence toward Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Kosovo and Macedonia,” Toksöz said.

“Takeover offers from foreign firms give us a headache,” Toksöz said, adding that the holding has no plans to sell off Sanovel.

“But we may take a foreign partner on board to help us grow abroad and enter the world pharmaceutical league.”