Lek Anti-Infectives Lendava celebrates 30th anniversary of potassium clavulanate production

The Lendava site dates back to 1982, when a small plant, then producing cosmetics, marked the beginning of its development. The production of active pharmaceutical ingredients in Lendava began in 1985, but an important turning point came in the early 1990s, when a modern production plant was built and production of potassium clavulanate, which is today and will continue to be a key product of the site, began. Production has been steadily increasing and accordingly Lek in Lendava has invested heavily in increasing production capacity and building the necessary facilities. Potassium clavulanate has thus triggered a continuous cycle of investment. In 1998, production was further expanded, and an important sustainable milestone and commitment to the local community was the installation of a wastewater treatment plant, co-owned with the Municipality of Lendava in 2001. In 2005, the Final Operations facility was built and in 2011, the fermentation capacity of the key ingredient of Sandoz's best-selling broad-spectrum antibiotic was increased.

In its first year of production, potassium clavulanate ranked among Lek's top 10 products and immediately became a success story. This active pharmaceutical ingredient remains the flagship of the Lendava production facility, reaching new milestones year after year.Last year alone saw record volumes, with the successful transfer of production of compounds from Prevalje and the start-up of a continuous isolation process for this key antibiotic ingredient.

"The credit for our progress goes to our dedicated team of associates. Together, with our expertise, cooperation, cohesion and flexibility, we ensure that the plant is not only increasing the volumes produced, but also improving its efficiency, thus maintaining its strong position against otherwise very tough global competition," said Saša Sankovič, Site Head of Anti-Infectives Lendava, on the occasion of the anniversary. 

Committed  to the present, ready for the future

Anti-infectives, including potassium clavulanate, are a major part of Sandoz's global business, which is why the company does not take antibiotics for granted, but invests in production. To date, the total investment in the Lendava site amounts to EUR 150 million, and the plant represents one of the key parts of the global  pharmaceutical company and one of the few antibiotic production facilities on  European soil. Half of the total volume produced is vertically integrated into the company's own production of a broad-spectrum antibiotic, and half is sold on the commercial market, in the form of a compound. The long-term success is based on a strong manufacturing heritage, and with modernization and continued investment, the Lendava site is well-equipped for the future.

Investing in the development and growth of the business also has a positive impact on the development of the local environment in which it operates. Lek is an important member of the local community in Lendava, with its two units, Solids and Anti-Infectives, providing jobs for almost 800 people, working constructively with various institutions in Lendava and the surrounding area, and operating efficiently over the years, while respecting all ecological aspects of its operations.