BF Biosciences Limited is a joint venture between Ferozsons Laboratories Limited and the Bago Group of Argentina and Pakistan’s first biopharmaceutical production facility, designed to USFDA standards.
In 2002, Ferozsons and Bago entered into commercial partnership to launch the Bago range of quality branded generics in the field of oncology and hepatology in Pakistan. Within the first two years, together we achieved a leadership position, becoming one of the top 3 companies in both Oncology and hepatology segments.
In December 2004, Bago and Ferozsons signed agreed in principle to enter into a joint-venture in Pakistan. The agreemenet to form BF Biosciences Limited, Pakistan’s first biotech formulation company was signed in 2006.
The plant, which has beedn built on a 27 acre site in Lahore, Pakistan, was completed in 2009 and manufactures biological medicines to treat Cancer and Hepatitis C for the local and export markets. The joint-venture has put Pakistan on the map of countries with biotech manufacturing capacity. As the first USFDA compliant pharmaceutical facility in the country, we have also helped Pakistan join the select group of companies that are exporting biotech pharmaceuticals. Exports have already commenced to Asian Markets.
In 2020, BFBL executed a non-exclusive license agreement with Gilead Sciences, Inc. for the manufacture and sale of Remdesivir (an anti-viral drug for the treatment of COVID-19 patients) under Gilead’s Global Patient Solutions (GPS) Program. The program aimed to improve access to their medications for patients worldwide, especially in the developing world. The agreements were executed with 5 South Asian manufacturers. BFBL was the only Company from Pakistan to be licensed to manufacture Remdesivir for distribution in up to 127 countries. Management decided that all the net cashflows generated from the Remdesivir would be invested to increase BFBL’s production capacity through a brown field expansion (“Line II”), capable of producing biologicals, non-biologicals and select vaccines.
In FY 2020-21, financial close of state-of-the-art “Line II” expansion comprising of high-speed pre-filled syringes line, 42 square meter lyophilizer, a combi filling line and other ancillary accessories was achieved, which will be operational in FY 2024-25.
The BF Biosciences manufacturing Facility is a pioneer in the Biotechnology sector in Pakistan:
- Our manufacturing facility was designed and installed by leading European Pharmaceutical Designers “Telstar Projects” to comply fully with EMEA and USFDA standards. Telstar has previously completed several FDA approved facilities in Europe and the United States.
- The BF project represents the first USFDA compliant pharmaceutical facility of any category in the country.
- The manufacturing equipment is designed to ensure complete segregation between different products under formulation, whether biologicals, vaccines or other parenterals. All contact parts are completery changeable when shifting from one product to another. The facility is also designed to ensure biological/bio-hazard containment.
- Special Gowning for clean areas and segregated gowning for support areas. Personnel involved in the formulation area go through three change rooms and undertake three different changes of clothing.
- Special Hatches developed for the clean rooms which not only have UV lights but also H14 ventilated systems to ensure proper cleanliness as per FDA guidelines.