Martin Down opens its plant in France

KARACHI: Martin Dow Pharmaceuticals officially inaugurated its plant in Meymac, France today. Martin Dow Pharmaceuticals plans to ramp up manufacturing activity to the hilt and expand into other therapeutic areas such as oncology and antibiotics in the coming months and years, says a message received here Friday.

Martin Dow has been encouraged and supported by French regional and departmental elected representatives and government officials. This momentous day for the site and for its employees was marked by the visit of François Hollande, President of the French Republic, who inaugurated the Meymac site.

At present, the Martin Dow Pharmaceuticals, Meymac plant, specialises in the manufacture of solid form medicines (capsules, tablets, powders) and has positioned itself as a major pharmaceutical industry contract manufacturer for French and international (including Pakistan) clients.

Subsequently the company intends to market its own brands in Europe, Central Asia, Far East, Middle East and in South America.

The Akhai family's involvement in the pharmaceutical world commenced in 1960 when Mr Sattar Akhai created a pharmaceutical distribution company. In 1995, his son Jawed Akhai went beyond distribution and set up Martin Dow Pharmaceutical Pakistan Limited. A few years later, in 2000, Jawed Akhai acquired his first pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Lahore.

Business developed fast for Jawed Akhai and in 2010 Martin Dow acquired the manufacturing facility of Roche in Karachi marking the company's accession as a major player in the Pakistan pharmaceutical industry.  In 2016, Martin Dow's acquisition of the majority shareholding of Merck Germany in Merck (Pvt) Ltd marked another major and significant pharmaceutical acquisition in the country. Martin Dow Group in Pakistan is currently ranked 5th in the pharmaceutical industry of Pakistan.