Biosimilars climb the alps

Generic and biosimilar manufacturer Sandoz, (still) a subsidiary of Novartis, is planning a new biologics production facility in Lendava, Slovenia, and has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state government. The investment of at least US$400m will be one of the largest international private sector investments in Slovenia to date. Work on the new plant is scheduled to begin this year, with full operation currently scheduled for the end of 2026. Sandoz intends to use the plant to drive the growth of its global biosimilar portfolio. Until now, the site, which is operated by the Slovenian Sandoz subsidiary Lek, was mainly used as very large warehouse. After biopharmaceuticals, antibiotics and other anti-infectives are Sandoz’s second largest business. Both product groups have their roots in the company’s 75-year history in the development of fermentation-based production technologies. Sandoz has biosimilars on the market or at the end of the approval process, mainly developed in Kundl, Austria.

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