Sandoz opens new state-of the-art BioInject facility in Schaftenau

Sandoz, the generics and biosimilars business of Novartis, has officially opened its new cutting-edge biomanufacturing facility called BioInject, at Schaftenau in Austria.

It is the result of over 150 million euro worth of investment with creation of 100 highly skilled jobs. In attendance at the event were Austrian dignitaries from national politics and the regional economy.

BioInject is a state-of-the-art facility that will be used to manufacture pre-filled syringes and devices for both Sandoz’s biosimilars and Novartis Pharma’s novel biologics. This new facility now means that 18,000 syringes can be filled and 100 packaged per minute. It will play an important role in driving the next wave of biosimilars and novel biologics growth at Sandoz and Novartis Pharmaceuticals.

BioInject facility a testament to Sandoz’s technical leadership in biosimilars

Welcoming guests at the event, Carol Lynch, Global Head of Biopharmaceuticals and Oncology Injectables at Sandoz, said, “BioInject stands as a testament to both Sandoz’s technological leadership in biologics as well as the company’s commitment to further strengthening its global leadership in biosimilars.” BioInject will become a central part of Novartis’ biomanufacturing network which also includes facilities in Slovenia, Singapore and France. 

More than 2.2 billion euro has been invested in Austria since Novartis was first established in 1996. The group currently has over 4,600 employees at four sites and is an important economic contributor particularly in the provinces of Tyrol, Upper Austria and Vienna.

Sandoz is the pioneer and global market leader  in biosimilars and currently markets three biosimilars in over 60 countries around the world.  Sandoz recently became the first company to introduce a biosimilar in the United States, signaling the shift towards more competition and affordability envisaged by US lawmakers when they enacted Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCIA). Sandoz has a leading pipeline with several biosimilars across the various stages of development, including five programmes in Phase III clinical trials and filing preparation.