Could you bring our audience up to date with DEVA’s undertakings in recent years, including the 2015 incorporation of U.S. subsidiary Devatis and the 2018 opening of Turkey’s largest pharmaceutical logistics center?

We are entering new technologies with a focus on key areas such as oncology, where we are continuing to bring new generics to the Turkish market. We have developed a focus on ophthalmology as well, where we are very strong and have launched a generic in dry eye treatment in the Turkish market and a new product that promises double the strength and is therefore unique in Turkey. I believe this is where DEVA excels: we bring innovative niche products that patients do not have easy access to in the Turkish system, thus contributing to improved patient access.

What is DEVA’s strategy in creating strength in specific therapies?

Antibiotics used to make up the majority of our revenue, which was a risk because of the high concentration and dependency on one area. Our strategy was to broaden our perspective in alternative focus areas rather than continuing with an antibiotic-dominated portfolio. Today, antibiotics constitute approximately 20% of our business with a more equal distribution on other areas that we are developing, such as ophthalmology and oncology. Looking ahead, DEVA is looking into the biologics space; however, this is a challenging arena that one cannot rush into. Currently, we invest in biotechnology and we established a biotechnology center and started developing joint projects with TÜBİTAK.

DEVA is one of the very few vertically integrated pharmaceutical companies in Turkey. Why is API production a priority at DEVA and how does it fit within the company’s overall goal?

We acquired our API facility in 2011 and started developing APIs for certain products where the APIs could not be sourced. This is a great asset for us in the market today. APIs are not always readily available, and in order for us to be early in the cycle, we must be able to develop our own APIs, which also gives us a cost advantage. We produce our finished product with our own API and also export APIs to foreign markets.

DEVA operates different models of growth in export markets, from API exports, contract manufacturing, co-development and branded sales. Would you like to give us an overview of your footprint and strategy in primary markets of interest?

DEVA has approximately 600 approvals in more than 60 countries. Currently we export to more than 40 countries and we have increased our footprint in Europe and the United States as well as some developing markets. Our strategy is to develop new products for the Turkish market first, as it is our home market, and then leverage our position in Turkey to bring these products to markets outside of Turkey. We employ different models based on the country of export where we license our products or form partnerships with distributors.

What is your take on the future progression of the Turkish pharmaceuticals market?

The Turkish market is challenging from a pricing perspective and it is becoming increasingly competitive. For DEVA, this means we need to have a constant supply of new products that are close to patent expiry where the competition is not strong yet. Targeting first generics puts us into an advantageous position in Turkey and once the local market is flooded, we take our products to export markets.

What is the vision heading DEVA’s growth in the next five years?

Our aim is to strengthen our position in the Turkish market first before consolidating presence in export markets too, with an emphasis on Europe and the United States. Ideally, we would like to make our value added and affordable products accessible all around the world.

Do you have a final message for our readership?

DEVA has a proven strong commitment to R&D, with our center being the largest in Turkey. We are also committed to the highest quality standards, which is evident from our US FDA and EU GMP approval.