The first death occurred in China due to the new type of coronavirus on January 11. The deceased was a 61-year-old male who was estimated to have contracted coronavirus while shopping at the market in Wuhan.
28-year-old Dentist Tolga Yılmaz, who provides laser bone formation in a rabbit skull resembling a human jaw bone structure, won an award from the University of Bern, among 200 international studies.
TÜBİTAK supported the European Joint Program on Rare Diseases (EJP RD) 2nd Joint Transnational Call (JTC), on behalf of Turkey, which will be jointly supported by the funding institutions from 22 different countries and the European Commission.
Turkey's first and only themed biotech startup accelerator program application process for BIO Startup Program, supported by AIFD and carried out by ReDis Innovation started through biostartup2020.com.
WHO made an announcement that the new type of coronavirus was called "COVID-19", on February 11. The person who died in France from the new type of coronavirus was the first death case in the European continent.
Coronavirus emerged in Iran, the border of Turkey – Iran was temporarily closed.
The 17th Ordinary General Assembly Meeting of the Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (AIFD) was held on February 14th. In the General Assembly, the permanent and substitute members of the Board of Directors and Auditors for the new term of AIFD were determined. AbbVie Turkey General Manager Dr. Mete Hüsemoğlu was elected AIFD Chair of the Board.
With every new treatment developed, there are still many rare diseases with no cure. There are 5000-8000 rare diseases worldwide. There is an approved treatment for only 5 percent of rare diseases, of which 80 percent are caused by genetic factors. AIFD made a statement during the Rare Diseases Day occasion on February 29: “AIFD will support important developments in 2019 such as the establishment of the Parliamentary Research Commission, the establishment of "Centers of Excellence" for the diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases, with national policies such as determining orphan drugs legislation and increasing clinical research in the field of rare diseases.”
Istanbul Medeniyet University Rare Diseases Student Community İMÜNADİR held a Rare Diseases Panel at Göztepe Training and Research Hospital on February 29. TUSEB Public Health and Chronic Diseases Institute President Prof. Dr. İlhan Satman, Specialist from the Directorate of Autism, Mental Special Needs and Rare Diseases Department of Health Services General Directorate. Dr. Murat Gülşen, TUBITAK EJP RD Turkey Program Coordinator Dr. Jale Şahin and many academicians who are experts in rare diseases took part. One of the mentors of AIFD Rare Diseases Task Force, Ayşe Nur Hananel, gave a presentation on rare diseases and orphan drugs, representing AIFD.
Representing the world's leading pharmaceutical companies the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) of which AIFD is also a member, announced that the pharmaceutical industry has launched an unprecedented mobilization against the global COVID-19 pandemic and the industry is determined to do more.
Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI), the world's largest public-private partnership in healthcare implemented by the EU Commission and EFPIA, announced that it is preparing a 'fast and one-stage' call with a budget of 45 million Euros for therapeutic and diagnostic proposals to overcome the novel coronavirus epidemic.
March 10 - ELAA Technology and Tarabios were selected as the first two finalists of the 2019 Bio Startup Program, out of 17 startup entrepreneurs during the Bio Turkey Award Ceremony held by Iveka International Biotechnology Congress’ StartHUB DemoDay section. The selected two bio-entrepreneurs who gained considerable experience in the BIO Startup Program were awarded a prize to participate in the world's largest biotechnology organization called BIO International Convention 2020, held in San Diego.
Health Minister Fahrettin Koca, announced the first coronavirus cases in Turkey on March 11.
March 13 - Primary schools, secondary schools and high schools closed for 1 week as of March 16, following the meeting on the COVID-19 outbreak under the chairmanship of President Erdoğan. It has been announced that the students will continue their education online and through television channels from home for 1 week as of March 23. Universities have also been notified to closes of March 16.
March 26 - President of Turkey Institutes of Health (TUSEB) Secretary General Prof. Dr. Hasan Türkez stated that within the scope of the fight against the new type of coronavirus (COVID-19), TUSEB calls for vaccine, medicine and diagnostic kit development projects, as well as projects for the domestic production of respiratory devices that are much needed in treatment processes, “Considering the importance of local production in order to lower our dependence on foreign sources, the products targeted within the scope of these calls have a strategic priority for our country” he said.
The application process for the fifth BIO Startup Program, supported by AIFD and carried out by ReDis Innovation, has been completed on March 5. The program, which aims to contribute to the growth of entrepreneurs in the field of biotechnology, attracted 56 applications from 12 different cities, from Van to Kayseri, from Şanlıurfa to Aydın, including two bio-entrepreneurs from Nicosia. As a result of the application evaluations, 14 bio-entrepreneurs qualified to participate in the BIO Startup Program. The Bio-Entrepreneurship Camp and BIO Startup Demo Day, which are planned to be held on 22-23 March, have been postponed to a later date within the framework of decisions and directions to protect public health.
March 13 - AIFD shared its announcement advising field teams to stop their face-to-face site visits. As a continuation of this announcement, in line with its responsibilities and sensitivities to public health, AIFD announced some recommendations regarding measures against COVID-19 and measures to prevent the further spread of the virus.
In the statement made by BioNTech, it was announced that the 1st and 2nd stage clinical trials of the potential vaccine called "BNT162" started in Germany on April 23rd. Pfizer has announced that it sees BioNTech as a potential partner to develop a vaccine against COVID-19.
With the circular letter of the Ministry of Interior, it was announced that a curfew will be imposed in 30 metropolitan cities, along with Zonguldak during the weekend, part of the fight against COVID-19. There were queues in front of markets, bakeries, grocery stores and fuel stations. “Hayat Eve Sığar” application was launched.
April 22 - AIFD provided its first support to the General Directorate of Public Hospitals to be used in intensive care units in line with the urgent needs of the COVID-19 outbreak. Along with this, members who have donated the drugs included in our country's treatment protocol to the Ministry of Health since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic, continued to meet with the authorities and the Ministry of Health on all kinds of cooperation.
April 29 - Within the scope of the #ÇareBulanaDek campaign launched by AIFD, information about the developments in the R&D process of innovative drugs, patient stories, clinical trials and the stages from the discovery of new treatments to the patient began to be shared with the public. As part of the campaign, AIFD social media channels said, “Diseases never wait, never stop and rest. So do we. Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies will work until a cure is found - #ÇareBulanaDek will research, develop and continue to work against diseases that make people's lives difficult at every moment, day and night.
In order to prevent the further spread of COVID-19, it was decided to hold some international meetings and press statements worldwide by video conferencing, while many events previously planned for May were either postponed or canceled.
The first phase of Istanbul Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital started admitting patients in April. The hospital was put into service at full capacity with all its units in May.
The efforts of AIFD members to combat the epidemic were announced on AIFD social media channels with the hashtag #FightingwithCOVID19.
AIFD's Board Medical Consultancy Group has started to work on the continuation of the treatment of patients with chronic diseases who need to be treated at the hospital and whose treatment is interrupted due to the pandemic. The members decided to prepare a proposal letter to increase the awareness of the Ministry of Health on this issue and advocated the identification of “pandemic-free isolated hospitals” on the provincial basis as soon as possible as an urgent solution.
AIFD had completed its online trainings, the first phase of the 2020 BIO Startup Program, in March 2020. It was decided to freeze the program due to the pandemic and to continue in 2021 when the situation improves. On the other hand, according to the decision made by the Board of Directors, it was proposed to adapt the 2020 BIO Startup Program to produce projects that develop innovative solutions for COVID-19 by adapting it to pandemic conditions. The name of this program was decided to be "CoronaSprint".
Turkey Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency has taken an important step towards becoming an international regulatory authority. TITCK has become a full member of ICH (International Harmonization Committee), a global platform that brings together health authorities and the pharmaceutical industry to discuss the scientific and technical aspects of the licensing processes of drug development and production processes, for which it was previously an observer member. With a quarter-century history, ICH is a proven platform for collaboration and harmony between health authorities and industry, and conducts worldwide harmonization studies to ensure the most efficient development and licensing of safe, effective and high-quality medicines.
The BIOStartup CoronaSprint Project, supported by the Istanbul Development Agency (İSTKA), carried out in partnership with AIFD and TUSEB and in collaboration with ReDis Innovation, started on June 8. Within the scope of the project, it was aimed to prioritize the needs arising during the COVID-19 process with the use of the sprint methodology and to produce rapid solutions for these needs with the support of stakeholders. CoronaSprint was carried out in cooperation with ReDis Innovation with mentors who are experts in related fields.
The AIFD Patient Associations Development Academy, which will be carried out in cooperation with the Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (AIFD) and Social Innovation Center (SİM) in order to strengthen patient advocacy groups that provide services for patients and their relatives, and to contribute to their sustainability, started with an introductory meeting held on 30 June 2020.
A new round of negotiations on UK-EU post-Brexit relations has begun.
The "North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)" signed between USA, Canada and Mexico came into force.
There has been a change of position at the Ministry of Health, Turkey Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency Turkey Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency President Dr. Hakkı Gürsöz handed over his duty to Turkey Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency Pharmaceuticals and Pharmacy Vice President Dr. Pharm. Harun Kızılay.
Representatives of AIFD, IEIS, TISD, SURDER and İVEK Foundation met at TITCK. TITCK President Dr. Pharmacist Harun Kızılay was chaired the meeting.
The scheduled flights between Russia and Turkey that have been paused due to COVID-19 in March have been scheduled to restart on 1 August. On August 11, Russia became the first country to approve the use of the COVID-19 vaccine after two months of testing.
The Minister of National Education, Ziya Selçuk, rang the first lesson bell at the ceremony held at Karaçay Primary School in Ankara on August 31, to mark the beginning of 2020-2021 Academic Year of distance education in Turkey.
In the BIO Startup CoronaSprint Project, 16 projects were developed to support the process of combating COVID-19. The BIOStartup CoronaSprint Project, which is supported within the scope of the Istanbul Development Agency "COVID-19 Fight and Resilience Program" and aims to provide solutions to the problems related to COVID-19, was completed after a two-month uninterrupted marathon. In the project carried out by AIFD in partnership with TUSEB and in cooperation with ReDis Innovation, the solution road maps of 16 startups that developed solutions to the problems related to COVID-19 were evaluated after the stages of participation in BIO Digital, the world's largest biotechnology organization, Needs Analysis Workshops, Sprint Process and Evaluation Meetings. A monitoring and tracking mechanism was established to meet the needs identified in the projects one by one.
India became the second country with the highest number of Coronavirus cases in the world with 4.2 million cases, on September 7.
The loss of life caused by COVID-19 exceeded 1 million on September 29.
Turkey Institutes of Health (TUSEB) Chairman Prof. Dr. Erhan Akdoğan started his duty.
The “Clinical Research Strategy for Turkey” report prepared by IQVIA with the support of the Research Based Pharmaceutical Companies Association (AIFD) was launched at the TUSEB Biotechnology Symposium held on Thursday, September 17th.Opening speeches at the launch of the Report were made by Deputy Minister of Health, Prof. Dr. Emine Alp Meşe, President of Medicines and Medical Devices Agency of Turkey (TİTCK), Assoc. Dr. Tolga Tolunay, AIFD Chair of the Board, Dr. Mete Hüsemoğlu and EFPIA Director General, Nathalie Moll. Following the presentation of the report by IQVIA Managing Director Şule Sencer Akbil, a panel titled “Importance of Clinical Trials for Turkey and Collaboration Model to Implement the Roadmap” was held. The panel was moderated by Prof. Dr. Ahmet Gül from Faculty of Medicine at Istanbul University and hosted following panelists: Clinical Research Department Head Nihan Burul Bozkurt from TITCK, Kutluhan Taşkın General Manager for Programmes and Plans from Presidency of Strategy and Budget, Hasan Arslan, Deputy General Manager for Public Hospitals from Ministry of Health, Prof. Dr. İlhan Satman, Acting President of TÜSEB- National Institutes of Turkey, and Özgür Ertok, IQVIA Consulting Country Manager.
The “Biotherapeutics” text book which addresses the production, quality, preclinical-clinical studies and safety of biological and biosimilar products, has been prepared by academicians, who are experts in their fields, with content based on original and unbiased research and with unconditional support of AIFD. The book can also be accessed from the website https://www.biyoteknolojikilaclar.net/. The publication and distribution activities of this scientific book, which was written as a reference source for all stakeholders interested in biological and biosimilar products, especially all healthcare professionals, were undertaken by AIFD.
All the details about this original work were discussed in the "Production, Quality, Preclinical-Clinical Studies and Safety of Biological and Biosimilar Products" panel organized within the scope of BIOEXPO 2020.
AIFD Board of Directors held an online meeting with TITCK’s new President, Assoc. Dr. Tolga Tolunay. During the meeting, mutual evaluations were made regarding the current issues of the sector.
An online meeting was held with the participation of Specialist. Pharmacist Oğuzhan Koyuncu, the Head of TITCK Pharmaceuticals Licensing Department and AIFD representatives to discuss the problems experienced in the licensing area, on September 22.
The European Union (EU) Leaders Summit was held in Brussels.
US presidential candidates Donald Trump and Joe Biden participated in the discussion in a live broadcast.
The 2020 Nobel Prize in Medicine found its winners. The 2020 Nobel Prize for Medicine was awarded to Harvey J. Alter, Michael Houghton and Charles M. Rice for their discoveries to the Hepatitis C virus.
In line with the circular sent by the Ministry of Internal Affairs to 81 provincial governorships, the respective letter of the Ministry of Health and the recommendation of the Coronavirus Scientific Committee who have taken into account the seasonal effects; events of non-governmental organizations, professional organizations that are public institutions and events to be organized by its parent organizations, unions and cooperatives have been postponed from 02.10.2020 until 01.12.2020.
TUSEB Aziz Sancar Science, Service and Incentive Awards were presented to their owners by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. TUSEB Aziz Sancar Science Prize was awarded to Professor Dr. Taner Demi in the fields of hematology, medical oncology and stem cells, TUSEB Service Award to Ender Koçak, and TUSEB Incentive Award to Dr. Abdullah Ercüment Çiçek from Bilkent University, to Dr. Arif Engin Çetin from İzmir Biomedicine Genome Center, and Assoc. Dr. Mehmet Gönen from Koç University.
An online meeting was held with the participation of the Head of the Department of Rational Drug Use of the Ministry of Health TITCK, Pharmacist Mesil Aksoy and AIFD representatives to discuss the problems with promotional regulations, on October 6.
''AIFD Note for Guidance for Interactions with Patients and Patient Associations” " prepared by AIFD Patient Advocacy Task Force with the aim of guiding AIFD Member companies in their communication with patients and patient associations was shared with our members on October 8 with the approval of the Board of Directors.
An online meeting was held with the participation of Specialist Pharmacist Sevil Azak Sungur, the Head of TITCK Pharmaceuticals Inspection Department and AIFD representatives to discuss the problems in the licensing area, on 12 October.
AIFD participated in the Health Financing Meeting organized by TÜSAP on October 16.
An online meeting was held with Head of the Department of Electronic Trade of the Ministry of Trade, Mehmet Kayış, on October 16. Mutual evaluations were made during the meeting regarding the current issues of the sector.
An online meeting was held with TITCK Vice President, Specialist. Dr. Elif Hilal Vural, on October 21. Mutual evaluations were made during the meeting regarding the current issues of the sector.
An online meeting was held with the participation of Head of Supplier and Customer Relations Department of the State Supply Office (DMO), Ümit Cengiz Uysal, and respective branch managers. Mutual evaluations were made during the meeting regarding current issues.
AIFD and Department Head for Directorate of Service Delivery of the Social Security Institution, Nezire Özlem Ergün, had an exchange of views on telemedicine applications.
It was announced that vaccine developed by the American pharmaceutical company Pfizer and German biotechnology company BioNTech whose founding partners are Turkish partners Uğur Şahin and Özlem Türeci, is more than 90 percent effective against the virus.
Republic of Turkey Vice Minister of Health Prof. Dr. Muhammet Güven was removed from his post. Prof. Dr. Sabahattin Aydın was appointed.
The Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT) President Murat Uysal was retrieved from duty and replaced by President of the Presidency of Strategy and Budget Naci Ağbal, İbrahim Şenel was appointed as the President of the Presidency of Strategy and Budget.
Lütfi Elvan was appointed as the Minister of Treasury and Finance.
Within the scope of fighting against the COVID-19 epidemic, an important stage has been reached in domestic vaccine studies developed by Erciyes University, with all stages including R&D studies and preclinical animal experiments supported by TUSEB. After the completion of the R&D studies of the first domestic COVID-19 vaccine candidate, Phase I Clinical Studies were initiated at Erciyes University Good Clinical Practice and Research Center (IKUM). The first dose was administered to one volunteer.
An online meeting was held with TUSEB President Prof. Dr. Erhan Akdoğan, on November 3. TUSEB shared comments and suggestions on AIFD’s clinical trials report prepared in cooperation with IQVIA. Additionally, mutual evaluations were made regarding the current issues of the industry during the meeting.
An online meeting was held with SGK Deputy General Manager Dr. Refik Altun, on November 4. During the meeting, mutual evaluations were made regarding the current issues of the sector.
An online meeting was held with the participation of TITCK Pharmaceuticals Regulatory Office Head. Specialist Pharmacist Oğuzhan Koyuncu and unit officers, on November 4. Problems in the licensing area were discussed and mutual evaluations were made regarding current issues of the sector.
AIFD participated in the "Online Gathering of Scientific Commissions by TITCK" meeting organized by TITCK Pharmaceuticals Licensing Office on November 17, 2020.
An online meeting was held with the Head of TITCK Rational Drug Use Directorate Pharmacist Mesil AKSOY and respective department representatives on November 26. Issues regarding the advertising activities were discussed during the meeting.
An online meeting was held with the participation of TITCK President Assoc. Dr. Tolga Tolunay and AIFD Board of Directors, on November 19. Mutual evaluations were made regarding current issues of the pharmaceutical industry during the meeting.
An online meeting was held with the participation of the Head of TITCK Economic Assessment and Pharmaceutical Supply Management Department, Specialist Dr. Banu Bayar and respective department representatives. Opinions were exchanged on "Drug Supply and Usage Guidelines from Abroad" and mutual evaluations were made on current issues of the sector during the meeting.
On November 26, 2020, an online meeting was held with the participation of TITCK Rational Drug Use Department Head Pharm. Mesil AKSOY and unit managers. Problems experienced in promotional activities were evaluated at the relevant meeting.
The UK approved the use of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech co-founded by Turkish scientist Prof. Dr. Uğur Şahin and Özlem Türeci. With the recommendation of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the vaccines approved by the European Union (EU) Commission have started to be distributed to EU member countries.
The UK approved the use of the new type of coronavirus vaccine developed in cooperation with the British-Swedish pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford.
As of December 23, 1 million 8 thousand 25 people in the USA were reported to have been vaccinated.
Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announced that they are sure that the vaccine from China is effective and reliable in Turkish people.
Dr. Mete Hüsemoğlu and AIFD Secretary General Dr. Ümit Dereli held a meeting with Deputy Minister of Health Prof. Dr. Sabahattin Aydın on December 3.
An online meeting was held with the participation of TITCK Clinical Research Department Head of Monitoring and Evaluation Unit Gökhan Özkan on December 1. Problems in the field of clinical research were discussed and mutual evaluations were made regarding the current issues of the sector during the meeting.
A meeting was held with DMO Supplier and Customer Relations Department Head, Ümit Cengiz Uysal and other officials on December 6, 2020. The issues and problems our members brought to the agenda were discussed in the meeting.
AIFD participated in the Current Problems in Clinical Research and Solution Proposals meeting organized by TUSEB.
AIFD held an online meeting with Member of the Science Committee, Prof. Dr. Alpay Azap, on December 11.
An online meeting was held with TITCK Vice President, Specialist. Dr. Elif Hilal Vural, on December 11. Issues of licensing and value transfers, which are placed at the top of the agenda of the sector, as well as other agenda topics were discussed in the meeting.
AIFD participated in the Health Market Project meeting, which was attended by the Ministry of Health, State Supply Office officials and sector representatives, held on December 30.
