Bluefish launches its first products in Germany and hires CFO
The Swedish generic pharmaceutical company Bluefish Pharmaceuticals has now launched its first products on the German market. This is a key step in the company’s goal to become a pan-European pharmaceutical company. Bluefish’s products are already available in Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Finland. More European markets will be entered into in 2009.
Bluefish has launched the proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) Lansoprazole and Omeprazole (used to treat gastric ulcers) on the German market. This is the first step in the gradual roll out of the company’s product portfolio in Germany. The German market for generic pharmaceuticals is the single largest in Europe. Contracts have been signed with the leading distribution companies Phoenix, which has a market share of 28 %, Anzag (18 %), and Sanacorp (13 %). Distribution is also offered directly to pharmacies. Since the end of April 2008, Bluefish has had a range of products available in Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands. Recently sales started in Norway and Finland.
”The generic pharmaceutical market in Europe grows twice as fast as the rest of the pharmaceutical market. With our supply chain of excellence and an organization adapted to new price driven markets, we are foreseeing many opportunities”, says Karl Karlsson, President & CEO of Bluefish Pharmaceuticals.
Bluefish's medicines are mainly manufactured with subcontractors in India where Bluefish also has a wholly owned subsidiary. Bluefish forecasts great sales potential and growth throughout Europe for all 26 products in the portfolio.
On January 7, Olof Nord joined Bluefish as the company’s Chief Financial Officer. Olof has experience from a wide range of industries. Before joining Bluefish he was the CFO of Redbet Holding AB (publ). Prior to that he was the financial manager at Arlanda International Airport and Alpharma AB, business controller at Green Cargo and audit assistant at Grant Thornton. The main responsibilities at Bluefish will be the financial reporting and business controlling, establishing the group structure and proper systems supporting the business.