Sandoz has today opened a biosimilar development centre in Ljubljana, which will develop biosimilar medicines from active ingredients to finished pharmaceutical forms. e centre cost €90 million and will create more than 200 jobs. "This is the first of a series of openings by which Sandoz will establish a complete chain from development to production in the field of biosimilar medicines in Slovenia", said Gregor Makuc, CEO of Leka and President of Sandoz Slovenia.
The site of the former Tuba factory in Verovská Street has become one of Sandoz's key sites for the development of similar biological medicines.
The total area of the development centre is around ten thousand square metres, and it employs scientists and experts working in interdisciplinary teams. e six-storey building incorporates advanced automation, digital connectivity and high flexibility, enabling its further development alongside science and technology.
The President of the Republic, Nataša Pirc Musar, said at the opening that "the opening of such a centre is an expression of confidence in the knowledge, skills and potential of the people of Slovenia".
Pirc Musar: "The role of the sector in Slovenia is growing rapidly because it recognises and develops our greatest strengths people, knowledge and a quality academic and research environment".
It also highlighted the role of Leka and the effects of Sandoz's investments, which 'not only strengthen industrial infrastructure but spill over into the wider social environment, associated enterprises, research institutions and local communities'.
Patients will have faster and easier access to medicines
Gilbert Ghostine, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sandoz, described the opening of the centre as an important milestone in the development of biosimilars: 'On the 20th anniversary of the approval of the world's first biosimilar, we are proud of the pioneering role we have played in increasing the availability of therapies to treat complex medical conditions.' He added that this is an investment in the future, as patients will have faster and easier access to high-quality biosimilars.
More than 200 scientists and researchers now work in interdisciplinary teams at the development centre, and this figure is expected to rise to around 300 by next year.
Thirteen biosimilar medicines on the market, with 28 more in development
The company's Chief Executive Officer, Richard Saynor, stressed that the R&D Centre will accelerate the expansion of the pool of biosimilars under development and, together with ongoing capacity investments, contribute to a more efficient transition of biosimilars to production. 'It will support our golden decade of opportunities for more affordable treatment brought about by the expiry of numerous patent protections in the field of biological medicines, worth around €290 billion over the next ten years.'
The development centre covers all stages from cell line development to final pharmaceutical formulation. e development centre currently has 13 similar biological medicines on the market and 32 candidates in the development phase.
Two more centers under construction: in Lendava and in Brno
The development centre in Ljubljana is the first of three key investment projects in a more than EUR 1 billion investment cycle in Slovenia, through which Sandoz is establishing a comprehensive in-house capacity for the development and production of similar biological medicines in Europe.
These include investment in a high-tech facility to produce active ingredients for biosimilars in Lendava and investment in an advanced sterile manufacturing and packaging facility in Brno.Together with a new development centre in Ljubljana, they will bring about 800 high value-added jobs.Part of the wider strategy is also Sandoz's recent acquisition of a biosimilar site in Toulouse, France.
Take a look at what the development center looks like:
Gallery of photographs
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What are biosimilars?
The term 'similar biological medicinal product' is used for biological medicinal products manufactured by pharmaceutical companies after the expiry of patents for original brands of biological medicinal products (reference biological medicinal products). Medicinal products contain the same active substance, are manufactured to the same standards and provide comparable safety, efficacy and quality as existing and authorised reference biological medicinal products. Before marketing authorisation is granted, the manufacturer of a similar biological medicinal product must demonstrate safety and efficacy in patients through clinical studies comparing the similar biological medicinal product with the reference biological medicinal product.
Biological medicines are medicines that are manufactured or derived from living cells. Their active ingredients act in a targeted manner, meaning that they do not act on non-target tissue unless they contain the same signalling molecules as the target tissue. Thi…
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24ur (POP TV)IndependentCenter4 days agoSandoz has opened a new development center in Slovenia with an investment of 99 million dollars. The facility, located in Ljubljana, will focus on the research and development of biosimilar medicines. The center spans over 10,000 square meters and will employ more than 200 scientists and researchers. It was built in record time within budget and is fully integrated into Sandoz's global R&D network.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual information about the opening of a new development center by Sandoz in Slovenia, focusing on technical details such as the size of the facility, the number of employees, the investment amount, and its integration into the global R&D network. There is no evident political
Siol.netIndependentCenter4 days agoSandoz has opened a new development center for biosimilar drugs in Ljubljana, which will handle the full development process from drug formulation to final pharmaceutical forms. The facility, located at the former Tuba factory site, covers around ten thousand square meters and employs over 200 people. It features advanced automation, digital connectivity, and flexibility for future growth. President of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, highlighted the significance of the center as an expression of confidence in Slovenian knowledge, capabilities, and potential.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual information about the opening of a new development center by Sandoz, focusing on economic and technological developments. There is no evident ideological framing, loaded language, or one-sided emphasis. The content remains neutral and descriptive, highlighting the event,
Official sources cited
- organisation Gregor Makuc, CEO of Leka and Chairman of Sandoz Slovenia
- government President of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar
Si21IndependentCenter4 days agoSandoz, a leading global manufacturer of affordable medicines, has opened a new Development Center for Biosimilar Medicines in Ljubljana, Slovenia, in the presence of President Nataša Pirc Musar. The fully digitally integrated facility, valued at €90 million and covering around 10,000 square meters, employs over 200 scientists. It supports the full development of pharmaceutical substances and medicines, backed by advanced analytics and data science. The center is part of Sandoz’s global R&D network, which includes laboratories in Germany and the United Kingdom.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on the opening of a pharmaceutical research facility with technical details and quotes from a corporate executive. There is no overt ideological framing, partisan language, or emphasis on political implications. The content focuses on economic development and scientific progress,
Official sources cited
- organisation Sandoz Press Release
The Slovenia TimesIndependentCenter4 days agoSandoz, a Swiss pharmaceutical company, has opened a new biosimilars development center in Ljubljana, Slovenia, with an investment of $99 million. The facility spans approximately 10,000 square meters and employs over 200 scientists and researchers. The center aims to support end-to-end drug development using advanced analytics and data science. Local officials and Sandoz executives praised the investment as a testament to Slovenia's expertise and potential, highlighting its role in advancing healthcare sustainability and competitiveness.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about a business investment without taking a stance on political issues. It includes quotes from both corporate leaders and local officials but does not exhibit biased language, one-sided sourcing, or omission of context. The content focuses on economic and R
DeloIndependent🔒Center4 days agoThe Swiss pharmaceutical giant Sandoz, through its Slovenian subsidiary Lek, has officially opened a new development center in Ljubljana focused on biosimilar drugs. The facility aims to expand access to affordable treatments by leveraging advanced scientific and technological capabilities. Sandoz highlights the significance of this investment for both the development of biosimilars and the broader company strategy. The center will house over 200 scientists and researchers across 10,000 square meters.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual information about a business expansion with no overt ideological framing, partisan language, or selective emphasis on political aspects. It focuses on economic development and corporate activity without taking a stance on policy or politics.
Official sources cited
- organisation Sandoz Statement
RTV Slovenija (MMC)State / PublicCenter4 days agoThe Swiss pharmaceutical giant Sandoz, through its Slovenian subsidiary Lek, has opened a new research center in Ljubljana focused on developing biosimilar medicines. The facility will employ over 200 scientists and researchers. According to Sandoz's leadership, this investment will significantly contribute to expanding accessible healthcare. Sandoz plans to invest more than one billion euros in Slovenia by 2029. The center represents the first major step in establishing a full chain of development and production of biosimilars in Slovenia, with Ljubljana becoming a key hub for Sandoz's R&D.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about a business expansion and does not take a stance on political issues. It includes direct quotes from company officials and provides details about the project without apparent bias or ideological framing.
Official sources cited
- organisation Gregor Makuc, CEO of Lek and President of Sandoz Slovenia
Slovenia