Sandoz Expands Biosimilar Footprint with $1.1 Billion Investment in Slovenia

Sandoz, a global leader in generic and biosimilar medicines, has announced a significant expansion of its manufacturing capabilities in Slovenia. The company's latest investment of $440 million for a new biosimilar facility brings its total planned and ongoing investments in the country to over $1.1 billion by 2029, positioning Sandoz as Slovenia's largest direct foreign investor.

New Biosimilar Manufacturing Plant in Brnik

Sandoz has broken ground on a state-of-the-art sterile product manufacturing site in Brnik, Slovenia, located approximately 24 miles from the country's largest airport. The $440 million facility, set to open in 2028, will focus on producing injectable biosimilars for the company's existing and future portfolio.

The new plant will encompass a range of functions, including preparation, filling, assembly, and packaging for Sandoz's biosimilar products. On-site quality control measures will also be implemented to ensure the highest standards of production.

Strategic Investment in European Biosimilar Hub

This latest investment is part of Sandoz's broader strategy to establish an "end-to-end leading European biosimilar hub" in Slovenia. The company has already announced plans for a biosimilar drug substance production center in Lendava and a biosimilar development center in Ljubljana, the nation's capital.

CEO Richard Saynor emphasized the importance of this expansion, stating, "Biosimilars is the fastest-growing segment of our pipeline as the need of patients and healthcare systems for these critical medicines continues to grow rapidly. As the global leader in the field, we are investing to meet rapidly growing patient demand."

The company's Chief Manufacturing and Supply Officer, Glenn Gerecke, highlighted Slovenia's strategic value, citing its strong talent pool, central location, and cost-competitive production as key factors in the decision to invest heavily in the country.

Positioning for Future Growth in Biosimilars Market

Sandoz's investments come at a time when the biosimilar market is poised for significant growth. The company estimates that biosimilar patent expirations will reach a value of $222 billion over the next decade, presenting an unprecedented market opportunity.

With a current portfolio of 28 biosimilars and approximately 450 generics, Sandoz is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth. The company's pipeline includes upcoming launches of biosimilars for Amgen's bone medications Prolia and Xgeva, further expanding its product offerings.

Sandoz's commitment to biosimilar development and production has already shown positive results, with the company reporting a 9% revenue growth to $10.4 billion in the previous year. As the pharmaceutical landscape continues to evolve, Sandoz's strategic investments in Slovenia are set to play a crucial role in shaping the future of the biosimilar market.