Pharco SA

What Pharco SA does

Pharco is the largest pharmaceutical manufacturer in Egypt and the broader MENA region, operating as a vertically integrated group of 11 companies spanning Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) manufacturing, formulation, marketing, and distribution. The group is led from its headquarters in Amriya, Alexandria, where Pharco Pharmaceuticals was founded in 1983 by Dr. Hassan Abbas Helmy and officially commenced operations in 1987. Through three foundational acquisitions in 2002 (Amriya Pharmaceuticals, European Egyptian Pharmaceutical Industries, and Techno Pharma Egypt) and the subsequent launch of Pharco B International in 2008, the group built a portfolio of 450+ brands producing 2.5 million packs daily across therapeutic categories including antibiotics, cardiovascular, antivirals, hormones, and dermatology. Manufacturing capabilities include the largest soft gelatin capsule facility in MENA (Safe Pharma), Egypt's first GMP-compliant API factory (Pharco B Chemicals, established 2015 with Sofosbuvir), and dedicated Cephalosporin and sterile parenteral plants. The group also operates specialized formats such as Pedyphar (diabetic foot ointment), Mirazid (anti-parasitic), and Aloreed (psoriasis).

Pharco's commercial franchise centers on affordable Hepatitis C treatment. Following the 2014 launch of Gratisovir (Sofosbuvir) and the 2016 acquisition of a 61% stake in Presidio Pharmaceuticals securing exclusive licensing rights to Ravidasvir (PPI-668) for Egypt and MENA, the company commercialized a pangenotypic Ravidasvir-Sofosbuvir combination demonstrating a 97% cure rate at approximately $300 per regimen versus $80,000+ for equivalent originator therapies. This pricing enabled mass-treatment campaigns: Pharco supplied medications for Egypt's national Hepatitis C eradication program, contributing to over 4 million patients cured and 70 million screened, with Egypt declaring its HCV waiting list eliminated by 2020. The company holds WHO prequalification for Sofosbuvir 400mg tablets (December 2018, first African manufacturer to achieve this), PIC/S certification for regulated-market exports, and a Medicines Patent Pool license for Ravidasvir supply in low- and middle-income countries.

The business model combines multi-channel pharmaceutical distribution with a direct-to-consumer medical tourism stream. Domestically, Abou Kir Trading distributes Pharco products to 9,000 pharmacies across Egypt, while internationally the group operates scientific offices in KSA, UAE, Yemen, Bahrain, Lebanon, Libya, and Romania (Pharco Impex 93 SRL, covering 4,000 Romanian pharmacies) and exports to 50+ countries. Government contracts anchor revenue through partnerships such as the 2017 Pharmaniaga Berhad joint venture for Malaysian local production at $300 per regimen, the Egyptian Ministry of Health national program, and engagements with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. The Tour n' Cure medical tourism program, launched in 2016 with Prime Pharma and fronted by celebrity ambassadors including Lionel Messi, extends the HCV cost advantage into a consumer-facing service combining treatment with Egyptian tourism. The company is privately held, family-controlled by the Helmy family, with Dr. Sherine Hassan Abbas Helmy serving as CEO and Dr. Hassan Abbas Helmy as Founder and President.

Name

Pharco SA

Legal name

Pharco Pharmaceuticals

Website

https://pharco.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Pharco is the largest pharmaceutical manufacturer in Egypt and the MENA region, producing 2.5 million packs daily across 450+ branded generics distributed through 9,000 pharmacies in Egypt, 4,000 in Romania, and exports to 50+ countries, with a leading affordable Hepatitis C franchise.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Generic Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing

NAICS

Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254), Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (424210), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (32541)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries (5122)

akta.pro primary industry

Small-Molecule CMC Documentation & Regulatory Support (DMF/CMC) (HLAGAHAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialty Pharma & Biologics Distribution (GDP-compliant) (HLAGAMAD), Government & Public-Sector Pharmaceutical Supply (Tender/Prime Vendor) (HLAIAJAF)

Keywords

• Generic pharmaceuticals
• Hepatitis C treatment
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Branded generics
• API manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Woluwé-saint-lambert

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Pharmaceutical Product Sales: Sale of generic and branded generic pharmaceutical products including antibiotics, cardiovascular drugs, antivirals, and other therapeutic categories through domestic Egyptian market and exports to 50+ countries.
2. Licensed Products: Commercialization of products under license from international pharmaceutical companies including Mead Johnson/Bristol-Myers Squibb and Rhône-Poulenc/Sanofi-Aventis.
3. Medical Tourism (Tour n' Cure): International medical tourism program offering Hepatitis C treatment combined with tourism experience in Egypt at significantly reduced costs compared to global prices.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Pharco SA is a pharmaceutical corporation that formulates, manufactures, and commercializes generic and branded generic medicines across antibiotics, antivirals, cardiovascular, dermatology, hormonal and parasitic therapy areas, with a flagship focus on affordable Hepatitis C treatments (Gratisovir/Sofosbuvir and Ravidasvir). The group operates 11 vertically integrated companies covering API manufacturing through finished dosage forms, and distributes products domestically through a 9,000-pharmacy network in Egypt and internationally via scientific offices, export partnerships and the Tour n' Cure medical tourism program across 50+ countries.

Product overview

Pharco SA is the largest pharmaceutical manufacturer in Egypt and the MENA region, operating as a pharmaceutical corporation focused on research, formulation, manufacturing, and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. The company produces a comprehensive portfolio of generics and branded generic drugs across 11 companies, with core focus on Hepatitis C treatments including Gratisovir (Sofosbuvir) and Ravidasvir, complemented by products across therapy areas such as antibiotics, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and dermatology. The portfolio also includes specialized treatments like Pedyphar for diabetic foot, Mirazid for parasitic infections, and Aloreed for psoriasis, distributed through Tour n' Cure medical tourism services and exports to 50+ countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Gratisovir: Affordable Hepatitis C treatment (Sofosbuvir) launched in April 2014
• Tour n' Cure
• Pedyphar
• Mirazid
• Aloreed

Products and services

• Gratisovir (Sofosbuvir 400mg) Oral Hepatitis C virus treatment, a nucleotide analog NS5B polymerase inhibitor indicated for chronic hepatitis C infection as part of combination antiviral regimen; WHO-prequalified and supplied through Pharco's Egyptian manufacturing facilities.
• Ravidasvir HCV NS5A inhibitor used in combination with Sofosbuvir for treating chronic Hepatitis C infection; pangenotypic when combined with Sofosbuvir, achieving 97% cure rates.
• Pedyphar Topical ointment for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, addressing an unmet medical need for diabetic patients.
• Mirazid Soft gelatin capsules for treatment of Bilharziasis (schistosomiasis), Fascioliasis and other parasitic infections.
• Aloreed Topical ointment for the treatment of psoriasis, addressing chronic dermatological conditions.
• Sofosbuvir 400mg Tablets (WHO-Prequalified) WHO-prequalified Hepatitis C virus (HCV) nucleotide analog NS5B polymerase inhibitor tablets for treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection; manufactured at EEPI facility, the first African pharmaceutical company to receive WHO prequalification.
• Tour n' Cure Medical Tourism Program Medical tourism program offering Hepatitis C treatment to international patients visiting Egypt, combining medical care with 5-star accommodation and tourism experience at a fraction of the global treatment cost.
• Branded Generics Portfolio Portfolio of branded generic pharmaceutical products across multiple therapy areas including cardiovascular, anti-infectives, respiratory, gastrointestinal, dermatology and hormones; marketed under 450+ brand names.
• Ciprofar 500mg Tablets Antibiotic medication and market-leading brand in the Egyptian pharmaceutical market.
• Spasmo Digestin Antispasmodic digestive medication for gastrointestinal disorders.
• Gratiziano 400mg European Egyptian Pharmaceuticals branded Hepatitis C treatment product.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4+ million Hepatitis C patients cured in Egypt
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Pharmaniaga Berhad (Malaysia)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 November 2017Joint venture between Pharmaniaga (M) Bhd and Pharco Corp of Egypt for local production of ravidasvir in Malaysia. Agreement signed November 2017 for manufacture and supply of Hepatitis C treatment regimen to be sold for US $300 in Malaysian public sector. Production targeted for year-end 2018 or Q1 2019.
• Medicines Patent Pool (MPP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 April 2017License and technology transfer agreement with MPP covering affordable supply of pan-genotypic HCV drug ravidasvir (PPI-668) in certain low- and middle-income countries with high hepatitis prevalence including Russia, Ukraine, Egypt, and Iran.
• Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with DNDi for clinical trials of Ravidasvir-Sofosbuvir combination therapy in Malaysia and Thailand. Joint efforts resulted in 97% cure rates in STORM-C-1 trial. DNDi licensed ravidasvir in low and middle income countries.
• Presidio Pharmaceuticals, Inc.coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerExclusive license agreement for Presidio's HCV NS5A inhibitor PPI-668 (Ravidasvir) for development and commercialization to treat HCV infection in Egypt. Agreement includes opportunity to expand licensed territory to additional MENA region countries.
• Prime PharmamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Prime Pharma to initiate Tour n' Cure medical tourism program for international Hepatitis C patients visiting Egypt for treatment at affordable prices.
• Egyptian Ministry of HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Egyptian Ministry of Health for national Hepatitis C screening and treatment campaign 'Egypt Free of Hepatitis C 2020'. Pharco supplied medications at cost, provided 8 mobile clinics, and partnered with Tahya Masr initiative.
• Italian Research LaboratorymajorTechnology or IntegrationContract with Italian research and development laboratory to manufacture affordable HCV treatment with bioequivalence study based on WHO guidelines proving equivalence to innovator product.
• Batterjee PharmaceuticalsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJoint venture established in 2004 between Pharco Pharmaceuticals, EIPICO and Batterjee Group for offering pharmaceutical products to Saudi Arabian market.
• United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPharco participated in UNECA conference in Addis Ababa on November 21, 2019 to discuss strategies to reduce cost of medicines and healthcare in Africa to address endemic diseases representing 25% of world disease burden.
• Dr. Ahmed ZewailminorOthersNobel Prize-winning scientist (1999 Chemistry) who gave speech at Pharco's 25th anniversary ceremony. Pioneer in femtochemistry, served as Linus Pauling Chair Professor at Caltech.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Hikma Pharmaceuticals: Jordan-headquartered multinational pharmaceutical company with broad generics and branded generics portfolio across MENA, US, and Europe. Closest publicly listed comparable for Pharco's MENA-focused generics and specialty manufacturing business.
• Sanofi: Global pharmaceutical company with prior licensing relationship with Pharco (legacy Rhône-Poulenc/Sanofi-Aventis products). Represents a broad incumbent with overlapping generics and specialty portfolio across MENA.
• Viatris: Global pharmaceutical company formed from Mylan-Upjohn merger, with broad generics, biosimilars, and branded specialty portfolio. Comparable to Pharco as a large-scale, broadly distributed generic-drug manufacturer with global reach.

Direct peers

• EIPICO: Egyptian pharmaceutical company and direct domestic competitor in generics and branded generics. Partnered with Pharco in the Batterjee Pharmaceuticals KSA joint venture (2004), highlighting deep operational overlap in Egyptian and Saudi markets.
• Eva Pharma: Egypt-based pharmaceutical manufacturer with focus on generics, biotechnology, and Hepatitis C treatments. Directly competes with Pharco in Egypt's hepatitis C eradication program and across therapeutic categories.

Emerging players

• Cipla: Indian global pharmaceutical company specializing in affordable generics and complex APIs, with a strong emerging-markets focus. Comparable cost-leadership model and similar Hepatitis C franchise targeting developing countries.
• Aurobindo Pharma: Indian vertically integrated generic pharmaceutical manufacturer with strong API manufacturing operations. Comparable to Pharco in combining API and formulation capabilities to serve global affordable-medicine markets.
• Dr. Reddy's Laboratories: Indian multinational pharmaceutical company with branded generics, biosimilars, and API manufacturing. Comparable through its emerging markets focus and integrated API-to-finished-product model.

Regional players

• Julphar (Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries): UAE-based pharmaceutical manufacturer with regional MENA focus on generics and branded generics. Competitor in GCC markets where Pharco operates via scientific offices and the Batterjee JV.
• Tabuk Pharmaceuticals: Saudi Arabian pharmaceutical company producing generics and branded generics for MENA markets. Overlapping customer base with Pharco in Saudi Arabia and selected MENA therapeutic categories.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/pharco
• Facebookfacebook.com/pharco
• Instagraminstagram.com/pharco
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pharco-corporation

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pharco SA