RESEARCH MADE IN ITALY The structure will be dedicated to rare diseases of the Third World and the hope is that the group will invest part of the 600 million budget here
A new research institute dedicated to vaccines. And the ambition to attract at least a good part of the 600 million that Novartis is preparing to invest in this field. Siena, already today the world base for the research and production of vaccines of the Swiss pharmaceutical group, wants to play its cards right. Which are not few. Starting with the 350 scientists led by Rino Rappuoli, global head of vaccine research, located in the Rosia production hub, just outside the Tuscan city, where 1,600 people work and where Novartis has already invested more than 300 million.
The consolidated relationship with the University and the closeness to the MPS Foundation, engaged in research and biotechnology (through Sienabiotech where it has invested around 80 million), also weigh heavily. And an important role is being played by local administrations. «Novartis wants to become one of the world's leading vaccine producers – explains Rappuoli – for this it must increase production capacity tenfold, from 300 million to 3 billion doses. Industrial investments are foreseen, obviously where the conditions will be deemed more convenient – he adds – and here in Siena we can bring into play the know-how and experience of a team of researchers among the best at an international level».
Rappuoli and the head of corporate research at Novartis, Paul Herrling, announced yesterday in Siena the opening of a research institute dedicated to the development of vaccines for the prevention of diseases in Third World countries. It's called Novartis vaccines institute for global health (NVGH) and it's the first non-profit created by a large vaccine company, which will focus on preventing diseases such as salmonella, which are widespread in developing regions.
The new structure will be led by Allan Saul, one of the leading experts in the sector from the American National Institutes of Health, who will coordinate around fifty researchers when fully operational. "We will take care of industrial development, starting from existing basic research, we will make the results available to those countries that need them and which will thus be able to produce and distribute vaccines at adequate prices," explains Rappuoli. Today, only 10% of the world's medical research is directed towards diseases that represent 90% of existing pathologies. One sixth of the world's population is essentially uncovered. "The NVGH of Siena wants to become a center of excellence for vaccines against forgotten diseases, similar to what we already do in Singapore on the front of drugs for tropical diseases," says Herrling. "Again, the availability and affordability of NVGH products will take priority over commercial value or potential profits."
Novartis, 39.8 billion dollars in revenues in 2007 of which 1.3 in Italy, pushes on social responsibility. But he doesn't stop looking at the vaccine business, aiming for world leadership. And Siena wants to be central on both fronts.
cesare.peruzzi@ilsole24ore.com Il Sole 24 Ore of 02/22/2008 ECONOMY AND BUSINESS p. 24
