Sandoz plans to invest about $300 million to build a biosimilar drug-substance manufacturing facility in Ljubljana, Slovenia, expanding its European production network and adding 8,000 liters of biologic manufacturing capacity by 2029.
The new facility will use disposable fed-batch technology and is expected to support both clinical and commercial manufacturing. It will include four disposable fed-batch reactors and be located next to Sandoz’s recently opened biosimilar development center in Ljubljana.
Disposable fed-batch manufacturing will add a new internal capability for low- to medium-volume production. The technology is intended to complement Sandoz’s existing high-volume and continuous manufacturing operations, providing the company with a broader mix of production methods across its European biosimilar network.
Sandoz said the facility will increase its flexibility and control over manufacturing capacity as it prepares for future growth in biosimilar medicines. The investment is part of the company’s Bio100 goal, announced earlier the same day, which is intended to capture a significant share of the long-term biosimilar market opportunity.
The plant will support technology transfers and scale-up as biosimilar candidates move from development toward commercial production. Sandoz said the location next to its development center is intended to strengthen operational oversight throughout a product’s lifecycle.
Richard Saynor, Sandoz’s chief executive officer, said the investment reflects the company’s view that biosimilars have long-term growth potential and supports its plan to expand access to lower-cost medicines.
Armin Metzger, president of biosimilar development, manufacturing and supply, said the facility will complement Sandoz’s existing Europe-based network across low-, mid- and high-volume manufacturing technologies.
The project is separate from investments Sandoz has previously announced for its biosimilar development and manufacturing operations in Slovenia.
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