Slovenian researchers take home several awards at Sandoz Research and Development Days
- Associates from Sandoz Development Center Slovenia and Technical Research & Development Biologics received eight Sandoz Science Awards, including two Scientific Excellence Awards.
- For several years, Slovenian researchers working at Sandoz and Novartis have been recognized as one of the leading experts in the field of biopharmaceutical and generic drug development.
Sandoz, a division ofNovartis and a leading global company in generics and biosimilars crowned its scientists with prestigious research and development awards. As in previous years, researchers from Sandoz Development Center Slovenia and TechnicalResearch & Development Biologics were among the exceptional individuals whose breakthrough achievements merited Sandoz Science Awards. Altogether,Slovenian researchers received eight Science Awards, one Special Mention and five Best Poster Awards.
“Sandoz and Novartis experts operate globally with the aim of making high-quality drugs more available and health care systems more sustainable in the long term, and Slovenian researchers play an important part in this mission. We are proud that Sandoz once again recognized the outstanding achievements of our associates. In Slovenia, Novartis has been working hard for years to create an unbossed, innovative and curious organizational culture that inspires breakthrough achievements. Lately we have been applying digitalization, data science and automation to the greatest challenges in the field of pharmaceuticals, which has resulted in faster development, better cost and production efficiency, and most importantly, better care for patients around the globe,” says Prof. Uroš Urleb, Ph.D., Global Head Technical Development Biosimilars in Global Drug Development, Technical Research & Development at Novartis and member of the Board of Management of Lek d.d.
“Development Center Slovenia is one of the key Sandoz development locations for technologically difficult projects. As many as half of all Sandoz development projects take place here. Several innovative development projects have been born from our knowledge and experience, and our scientific and development teams regularly realize outstanding achievements. They certainly deserve the awards for breakthrough solutions in development and production of difficult innovative and generic drugs,” says Matjaž Tršek, Head Development Center Slovenia.
Every year, Sandoz awards the best researchers with years of outstanding achievements in research and development. As in previous years, both Scientific Excellence Awards went to Slovenia, to Matjaž Bončina from Technical Research & Development Biologicsand Katja Berginc from Development Center Slovenia.
- Matjaž Bončina received his award for changing the paradigm of formula development, from an approach based on trial and error to a science-based approach guided by a mechanistic understanding of stability of biomolecules. His work greatly contributed to the efficiency and speed of development of biosimilar formulations.
- Katja Berginc works on development of biopredictive methods of dissolving poorly soluble compounds in new formulations, such as solid dispersions, and complex drugs, such as drugs with prolonged release and combined products. She also works on in-depth studies of permeability, assessing the importance of potential interactions between different compounds.
In addition, researchers and research teams from Development Center Slovenia and Technical Research & Development Biologics received awards in the categories Innovative Breakthroughs in Analytics and Technology, Digital Achievements, Difficult Application for Authorization of Pharmaceutical Products, Outstanding Clinical Study and Young Perspective Researcher.
Congratulations to all award winners!
Novartis is the leading provider of medicines in Slovenia, where Lek d.d., Novartis Pharma Services Inc., Podružnica vSloveniji and Sandoz d.d., operate. Together we are building and maintainingthe reputation of a dynamic, ethical, and trusted pharmaceutical company. Lekdevelops, manufactures, and markets effective, safe, and high quality medicinesand active pharmaceutical ingredients. With our knowledge, quality, andexperience we have gained an important role in Novartis' organizationalstructure, especially in the Novartis Technical Operations, Global DrugDevelopment, Novartis Business Services, and the generic division Sandoz. Weare the leading Sandoz development center, and one of the key development sitesfor technologically complex projects. We invest a great deal in thedevelopment, education, and training of our employees. Over the last nineyears, the company has created more than 3,350 new job opportunities, making usone of the biggest employers in Slovenia. Novartis invested in Slovenia morethan EUR 2.7 billion since 2003.
About Sandoz
Sandoz, a Novartis division, is a globalleader in generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilars. Our purpose is to pioneeraccess for patients by developing and commercializing novel, affordableapproaches that address unmet medical needs. Our ambition is to be the world’sleading and most valued generics company. Our broad portfolio of high-qualitymedicines, covering all major therapeutic areas, accounted for 2020 sales ofUSD 9.6 billion.
About Novartis
Novartis is reimagining medicine to improve and extend people’s lives. As aleading global medicines company, we use innovative science and digitaltechnologies to create transformative treatments in areas of great medicalneed. In our quest to find new medicines, we consistently rank among theworld’s top companies investing in research and development. Novartis productsreach nearly 800 million people globally and we are finding innovative ways toexpand access to our latest treatments. About 109,000 people of more than 140nationalities work at Novartis around the world. Find out more at www.novartis.com.
This press release contains statements and forecasts of future business operations.The forecasts include estimates based on all the information currently available to us. Should these forecasts prove unreliable, the actual results of business operations could be different from those expected.
Forfurther information, please contact:
GregorMakuc
Communication and External Affairs
Lek Pharmaceuticals d.d.
Telephone: 01 580 22 43
gregor.makuc@sandoz.com
