The PHARMIG member company Novartis is investing 500 million euros in the expansion of two cell culture facilities in Kundl and Schaftenau.
We are extremely pleased that Novartis has decided to expand its production capacity for the production of biopharmaceuticals in Austria. We see that even under challenging conditions, companies in the pharmaceutical industry trust in Austria as a pharmaceutical location and continue to strengthen it through their investments. However, such news should not obscure the fact that we still have some construction sites that need to be continued. Ideally, politicians will pursue a concept of integrated location policy in which the areas of research, production and market access go hand in hand.”
Mag. Alexander Herzog, Secretary General of PHARMIG
Vienna (OTS) – The expansion of its cell culture technology facilities at the company’s Tyrol campus, announced today by Novartis as part of the “Invest in Austria” location congress, is something to behold: With a total investment of 500 million euros, the company is further expanding its expertise in biotechnologically produced pharmaceuticals in both Kundl and Schaftenau and thereby creates 350 new jobs in the region.
In view of this positive news, PHARMIG General Secretary Alexander Herzog says: “We are extremely pleased that Novartis has decided to expand its production capacity for the production of biopharmaceuticals in Austria. We see that even under challenging conditions, companies in the pharmaceutical industry trust in Austria as a pharmaceutical location and continue to strengthen it through their investments. However, such news should not obscure the fact that we still have some construction sites that need to be continued. Ideally, politicians will pursue a concept of integrated location policy in which the areas of research, production and market access go hand in hand.”
There are also challenges at the European level that impact Austria. In the course of revising European pharmaceutical legislation, the EU is not, from the association’s perspective, providing the right incentives to really improve Europe’s position in global competition. Herzog says: “Shortened protection periods in pharmaceutical research are not the right way to strengthen Europe as a location for drug research. In addition, it will not be easier to find investors for such risky drug development or to initiate such projects within the company if incentives are linked to requirements for the market entry of a new product that are almost impossible for companies to meet. When it comes to EU pharmaceutical legislation, it doesn’t have to be a contradiction to improved health care if you also keep the research and business location in mind, quite the opposite.”
About PHARMIG: PHARMIG is the voluntary interest group of the Austrian pharmaceutical industry. The association currently has around 120 members (as of February 2024), who cover a good 95 percent of the medication market. PHARMIG and its member companies stand for the best possible security of supply of medicines in the healthcare system and ensure social and medical progress through quality and innovation.
Questions & Contact:
PHARMIG – Association of the Austrian Pharmaceutical Industry
Peter Richter, BA MA MBA
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peter.richter@pharmig.at
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