Signalling its continued commitment to the emerging economies of the recently expanded European Union, Novartis AG announced a EUR 70 million overall investment in a new generics production and logistics facility in Stryków, Poland.

Operated by Slovenia generics leader Lek, a new Sandoz company, the new facility is expected to create 150 new jobs in the £ódŸ region of Poland. The 25,000-square-meter complex will include an administration building, laboratories, production lines and storage centers.

"Today, we build on our 100 year presence in Poland with the opening of a major new facility. This better positions our generics business to participate in the exciting growth opportunities promised by the expansion of the European single market," said Paul Choffat, CEO of Novartis Consumer Health. "This world-class logistics and production site will produce high quality generic medicines that offer increased treatment options for physicians and patients throughout Poland and across Europe, complementing Novartis' broad portfolio of innovative, branded pharmaceuticals."

Initially focused on the production of oral solid formulations of generic medicines including Ketonal, Amlopin, Lovastatinum and Altacet the plant is expected to reach a production capacity of 1.5 billion tablets and capsules in the first year. Export production is estimated at 10 per cent in the first year of operation, rising to as much as 20 per cent thereafter.

In addition to the Stryków site, Novartis operates pharmaceutical and consumer health production sites in Rzeszów, Gorzów Wielkopolski and Pruszkow. In total, Novartis employs over 1500 people in Poland.

Sandoz, a Novartis company, is a world leader in generic pharmaceuticals and develops, manufactures and markets these medicines as well as pharmaceutical and biotechnological active ingredients. Decades of experience and profound know-how make Sandoz a renowned partner in the Franchises Pharmaceuticals, Biopharmaceuticals and Industrial Products. Altogether, Sandoz employs around 13,000 people worldwide and posted sales of USD 2.9 billion in 2003.