Sandoz Research and Development Days present Slovenian experts with ten scientific awards

"We are extremely proud that Slovenian experts have been awarded the prestigious Sandoz R&D Awards for many years, and this year we won more than half of all the prizes. In this rapidly growing and technologically sophisticated pharmaceutical industry, agility and innovation are key. The same goes for our associates, who have time and again demonstrated their excellence and kept up with the times – including the latest technological approaches, digitization and data science," said Matjaž Tršek, Head Sandoz Development Center Slovenia. 

Every year, Sandoz awards the best researchers with years of outstanding achievements in research and development. This year, the award for scientific excellence went to Matjaž Vogelsang from TRD Biologics Mengeš and Ivana Gazić Smilović from the Sandoz Development Center Slovenia:

• Matjaž Vogelsang from TRD Biologics Mengeš was awarded for introducing new paradigms, techniques and approaches in the field of cell line development and genetic/genomic characterization of cell lines for the production of biologics, as well as for innovative characterization of cell and gene therapy products using next-generation sequencing. Together with his team, he has made a significant contribution to increasing the productivity of cell lines for the production of biologics and was the first in the industry to develop a GMP-compliant method for the release of raw materials for the production of gene therapies based on next-generation sequencing technology.
• Ivana Gazić Smilović from Sandoz Development Center Slovenia made a significant contribution to the successful completion of the physicochemical characterization studies for a complex injectable product. With her excellent scientific approach, she identified the appropriate orthogonal analytical techniques that were used to characterize the drug substance and drug product, leading to the demonstration of comparability with the reference product. Her in-depth knowledge of new techniques and commitment ensured the timely execution of the studies and proved instrumental in the regulatory acceptance of Sandoz's generic product in the EU.

Researchers and research teams from Sandoz Development Center Slovenia and TRD Biologics Mengeš also received awards for innovative breakthroughs in analytics and technology, the Clinical Study Excellence Award, the Breakthrough in  Operational Excellence Award, the Outstanding  Supporting Role Award, the Rising Star Award, Inspirational Leader Award, and the Cultural Ambassador  of the Year.

As noted by Špela Jalen, Site Head TRD Biologics Mengeš, these awards are not a matter of course, but are the result of exceptional knowledge and experience. "Our development teams have been achieving truly enviable successes at the international level for many years and have deservedly been recognized for breakthrough solutions in the development and manufacture of complex innovative and generic medicines. These achievements are the result of a lot of hard work, team spirit, motivation and sacrifice, for which I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all our associates," added Špela Jalen. 

Congratulations to all the winners!