Lek Officially Opens its Renovated Plant for the Manufacture of Sterile Products

Sterile pharmaceutical products play an important role in Lek’s production. All the stringent requirements for quality sterile pharmaceutical products, for which Lek is well recognized at home and in numerous markets abroad, led our pharmaceutical technologists to the decision to completely overhaul the existing manufacturing complex for the production of pharmaceutical products in Ljubljana, and build a state of the art facility that complies to the highest standards in the manufacture of vials, lyophilisates and syringes. This facility will mostly manufacture products used in the treatment of the most acute infections and severe toxic conditions such as sepsis. Moreover, most of these products are based on Lek’s own production of active pharmaceutical ingredients. With this modernization, Lek also supports its strategic orientation in the field of anti-infective drugs and consolidates its position as a leading European producer of these drugs.

As well as manufacturing products such as Edicin ^(R) (vankomicin), Klimicin (klindamicin), Gentamicin and other antibiotics, within two years, Lek also plans to begin the production of new active ingredients on the basis of recombinant technologies, developed from our own research and development activities. So with this production, the manufacturing facility will be fully utilized and will require further expansion. The production program also includes products such as eye drops, and some other forms of lyophilisates.

“Knowledge of sterile production technologies is one of Lek’s competitive advantages. With the overhaul of our plant, we wish to sustain our projected sales of sterile products, and strengthen our requisite knowledge and expertise for sterile production. Meeting state of the art demands for manufacturing these products, means fulfilling Lek’s strategic vision in this most challenging area of pharmaceutical technology,” stated Metod Dragonja, the president of Lek’s Board of Management, at the opening ceremony.

The renovation began two years ago and the demands were exacting. The overhauled plant meets the most up to date requirements fixed by European and American standards and good manufacturing practices (GMP). It is precisely because of the difficult demands of the manufacturing process that facilities that produce parentheral forms are also referred to, what are called, advanced pharmaceutical technologies.

The total investment for the renovation added up to SIT 1.5 billion. The plant is highly automated and will employ highly qualified workers. The facility will be expanded as needed.