STADA expands MENA footprint with FITO acquisition

GERMANY— German-based pharmaceutical company STADA Arzneimittel AG is expanding its consumer healthcare presence in the MENA region through the acquisition of FITO™ from LEO Pharma.

FITO, a medical device formulated with the wheat extract Rigenase (developed by Damor Farmaceutici in Italy), is used for the dermatological treatment of first- and second-degree burns, ulcers, wounds, and abrasions.

Due to its herbal origin, FITO offers a high safety profile, forming a protective barrier that shields affected areas from external environmental factors.

The acquisition by STADA will include the existing business operations of FITO in several key MENA markets, namely Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Additionally, STADA will extend its reach into other significant markets across the region, including Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Kenya, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritius, Morocco, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Tunisia, and Yemen.

Commenting on this strategic move, STADA EVP Stephane Jacqmin for Emerging Markets expressed her optimism about leveraging the company’s robust local marketing and sales capabilities to unlock the full potential of this prominent brand across the MENA region.

She also highlighted that this acquisition is poised to reinforce STADA’s role as the partner of choice in consumer healthcare, further propelling the company’s growth in the region.

Moreover, this acquisition is complemented by STADA MENA’s recent entry into a supply and distribution agreement with Farmaceutici DAMOR S.p.A, Italy, which aligns with STADA’s ongoing strategy of forging strong alliances in the region.

This latest agreement builds on STADA’s existing partnerships, including a notable collaboration with Abu Dhabi-based ADCAN Pharma.

The partnership with ADCAN Pharma is particularly significant because it will expand patient access to high-quality medicines in the United Arab Emirates.

ADCAN Pharma, which boasts an impressive annual production capacity of 500 million tablets and 80 million capsules, adheres to all international pharmaceutical manufacturing standards.

Through this collaboration, entered in July 2024, STADA will exclusively market and commercialize a portfolio of 15 high-quality consumer healthcare products produced and supplied by ADCAN in the UAE.

This portfolio includes registered skincare and first-aid products such as Dr Wound Gel and Silvano Spray and several products currently under regulatory review.

Additionally, this partnership encompasses various therapeutic categories, including allergy, pain relief, sexual health, vitamins, minerals, and supplements, further diversifying STADA’s product offerings in the region.