Sandoz to build new biologics production plant in Slovenia to support biosimilars
Sandoz has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to build a new biologics production plant in Lendava, Slovenia.
The Sandoz investment is expected to be at least $400 million, supporting the company’s ambition to drive the future growth of its global biosimilars portfolio. This represents one of the largest-ever international private-sector investments in Slovenia.
Sandoz CEO Richard Saynor said, “Biosimilar medicines increase access to cutting-edge biologic therapies for the patients who need them most. At Sandoz, we are determined to continue leading the way on driving access to these critical medicines. This investment underscores our ambition to be the sustainable global leader in biosimilars, a segment projected to grow double-digit annually over the next decade.”
Glenn Gerecke, global head of Sandoz technical operations, added: “This state-of-the-art site will be a major new jewel in the Sandoz crown, enabling us to meet growing demand for our current and future biosimilars in the mid- to long-term. The location offers us a strong combination of political stability, proximity to our existing European-based production and commercial operations, and competitive costs.”
[Read more: AAM report: Generics, biosimilars generated $373B savings in 2021]
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Robert Golob, Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, said, “I am particularly pleased that this is an investment by a long-term strategic investor, a socially responsible and sustainable company, which is already one of the largest and most respected employers in Slovenia. With such investments, we are well on our way to a highly productive, competitive and green economy."
Work on the new plant is set to begin this year, with full operations provisionally planned for late 2026.
[Read more: Sufficiently similar: What the FDA approval of the first interchangeable biosimilar product means for pharmacists]