New development center brings new opportunities

Recently, Sandoz announced the building of a new state-of-the-art facility in Ljubljana, the Sandoz Biopharma Technical Development Center. With this investment, Lek’s Ljubljana site will become one of the key locations for biosimilar drug substance and drug product development in Sandoz. The new facility will use the latest technology and equipment to support Sandoz’s growing biosimilars portfolio and together with the Analytical Development Center in Germany, will focus on fostering a collaborative and innovation-driven environment where scientists can flourish and advance their careers.

Biosimilars play a crucial role in the treatment and prevention of numerous debilitating and life-threatening conditions, including several types of cancer, psoriasis, and arthritis. They drive competition and cost saving, helping to address the escalating financial pressures faced by healthcare systems around the world. By aligning with global health priorities, they contribute to equitable healthcare access, allowing a broader patient population to benefit from life-saving biologic therapies and contributing to more sustainable and inclusive healthcare systems. “Overall, biosimilars are an essential component of modern healthcare systems, offering a balance between cost-effectiveness, patient access, and continued innovation in the biopharmaceutical industry,” explains Katja Primo?i?, Process Analytical Director.

That is why Sandoz announced the building of the new biosimilar development center in Slovenia. Together with the existing Sandoz Development Center, a leading center for complex differentiated generics, Ljubljana will become one of Sandoz’s key global sites for generic and biosimilar development. Neboj?a Furlan, Downstream Process Director, believes the new setup will improve the efficiency and speed of biosimilar development, two crucial factors that enable us to be on the market when the patent expires, and at an affordable price. Moreover, it will further strengthen the company's capabilities in the end-to-end drug substance and drug product development of biosimilars.

?The Biopharma Technical Development Center in Ljubljana will use state-of-the-art technologies and be fully supported by data and digital platforms.

Nebojsa Furlan , Downstream Process Director from Sandoz Biopharma Technical Development Slovenia

Exciting and wide-ranging opportunities

The new center will lead to the creation of approximately 200 jobs. This setup will enable teams to work together closely and harness the potential of a collaborative and innovation-oriented work environment. Associates will be able to realize their full potential and grow professionally as well as personally. Moreover, it will allow us to further strengthen our ties with academia and research institutions in Slovenia and in the EU. The center will have capabilities in cell line development, bioprocess development, drug product formulation and process analytical sciences working closely with data science teams enabling exciting scientific learning and deeper insights in biosimilar development.

Thanks to our talented and dedicated team we are able to achieve our goals and make a difference in the biopharmaceutical landscape.

Vatroslav Spudic , Upstream Process Director from Sandoz Biopharma Technical Development Slovenia

Inspired by diversity, driven by challenges

Katja, Neboj?a and Vatroslav all say they are most inspired when working in diverse teams, where seasoned professionals and young talented individuals work side by side, and when we are sharing knowledge with the hope of finding the next break-through idea. The dynamic field of biotechnology, where new scientific challenges come up every day, combined with the broader global health implications of biosimilar development, further ignites their passion for advancing the technology, and shaping a more accessible and sustainable future for healthcare.

The new center will offer research and development opportunities in Industry to Masters and PhDs, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and its practical application in the field of biosimilar process development.

Katja Primozic , Process Analytical Director from Sandoz Biopharma Technical Development Slovenia