Early Life
Egor Nikolaevich Kulkov was born on December 7, 1971, in Novosibirsk, Russia. He earned a Master of Science degree from Novosibirsk State University. During his studies, he formed a key partnership with Viktor Kharitonin.
Rise to Success
In 1993, Kulkov and Kharitonin co-founded the trading firm Kreditinform. They later joined the investment company Profit House, which collaborated with Roman Abramovich's Millhouse Capital. In 1999, Kulkov and Kharitonin acquired the UfaVita plant, marking their initial entry into the pharmaceutical sector. Their significant breakthrough came in 2003 when, alongside Roman Abramovich and others, they established Pharmstandard by consolidating five factories purchased from ICN Pharmaceuticals. By 2008, Kulkov and Kharitonin bought out their partners, solidifying their control over Pharmstandard. Under their leadership, the company expanded its portfolio to include well-known brands such as Arbidol, Complivit, Pentalgin, and Codelac. Pharmstandard also played a crucial role during the COVID-19 pandemic as one of the producers of the Sputnik V vaccine.
Key Business Strategies
Beyond Pharmstandard, Kulkov has invested in Russian pharmaceutical firms OTCPharm, Biocad, and Generium. He is also the largest shareholder of the British medical technology firm CMR Surgical. Kulkov's business acumen is evident in his ability to identify and invest in ventures with substantial growth potential, such as his early investment in CMR Surgical. In 2020, he and Kharitonin acquired a significant stake in the European Medical Center (EMC), a leading private healthcare provider in Russia. In 2023, through their holding company Augment Investments Limited, Kulkov and Kharitonin purchased the Kama plant, Russia's sole producer of coated cardboard.
Philanthropy
Kulkov is known for supporting various charitable initiatives in Russia, focusing on education, healthcare, and environmental conservation.
