Lek Open House Day in Mengeš

Lek currently employs around 550 people in Mengeš. Development and manufacturing at the location began fifty years ago. Today Lek in Mengeš is a Sandoz development and manufacturing center, responsible for highly demanding products for sale all over the world. “The goal of production of active pharmaceutical ingredients i.e. raw materials for final dosage forms is to become a key source of active pharmaceutical ingredients for Sandoz. Active pharmaceutical ingredients have a high level of added value and are relatively difficult to manufacture. Within Sandoz, the Mengeš plant is a center for selected high-value active pharmaceutical ingredients,” says Igor Boševski. At Lek in Mengeš, active pharmaceutical ingredients are manufactured using chemical organic synthesis and fermentation, and biotechnology drugs are manufactured using recombinant technology, while a smaller share of the manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients is still based on plant extracts. Manufacturing of final products (Linex) was also started here a few years ago.

Biopharmaceuticals in Mengeš

In the last few years there has been an increased focus on biopharmaceuticals in Lek’s research and development. The biopharmaceuticals unit at Lek is responsible for the development, manufacturing and analysis of biological active pharmaceutical ingredients and products, and their successful marketing. Lek began in-house development of genetic technology in the 1980s and created the basis for the manufacturing of recombinant proteins, i.e. biological drugs for human use. The unit has the highest average level of education, primarily professionals in microbiology, biology, biochemistry, chemistry and pharmacy.

In February 2004 Lek in Mengeš opened the first manufacturing plant for recombinant technologies in Slovenia – PORT 1, and during last year’s celebration of Lek’s 60th anniversary an announcement was made of the beginning of construction of the Biopharmaceuticals Development Center, a facility with approx. 2800 m2 of total surface area. This new plant in Mengeš will form an important basis for Sandoz’s strategy in biopharmaceuticals, a field which will have an important effect on the future of the pharmaceuticals industry. “The development of biopharmaceuticals at Lek indirectly also has positive effects for the environment. The processes run in closed systems using biologically acceptable raw materials, so the impact on the environment is minimal. At the same time the development creates new jobs. In the past six years the number of employees in this field at Lek in Mengeš has risen from the original 7 to 107,” explained Dr. Andrej Francky, Head of Laboratory Development in Biopharmaceuticals.

Lek in Mengeš closely connected with the local environment

Lek pays a great deal of attention to environmental protection. In its mission Lek undertakes to provide for a clean environment and manufacturing in accordance with European environmental protection standards. On the basis of the current environmental policy and the ISO 14001 standard received for its environmental management system, Lek is realizing its mission through planned environmental management, implementation of environmental programs, regular monitoring and measuring of the environmental aspects of their operations and immediate response in the case of deviations. The basic condition for the carrying out of Lek’s activities – manufacturing active pharmaceutical ingredients and products and development – is caring for a healthy and safe living environment.

Lek’s efforts are directed towards constant improvement of the environmental aspects of operations, economic consumption of energy and raw materials, rational use of other natural resources and modern and efficient handling of waste in order not to burden the environment. “We engage in comprehensive management of environmental impacts. Among other things we have introduced closed systems for cleaning emissions using absolute filters, condensation and regeneration of organic solvents, thermal oxidation, washing gases and biological decomposition. We eliminate unpleasant odors using biofiltration, we have installed sound limiters, a three-channel sewage system, a safety valve on the outflow into the Pšata, catchment basins underneath the warehouses and manufacturing plants, and we have begun biological treatment of wastewater at the municipal treatment plant and have a closed circuit of fresh water,” said Igor Boševski.

Marjanca Zornik, an environmental protection consultant at the company Formica d.o.o. with the status of environmental expert, who works for Lek as an external professional, presented the results of the most recent measurements of Lek’s emissions into the environment, which indicated that Lek is far below the allowable emission limits in all areas. “Lek’s operations impact the environment, as all of us living beings do, but with the environmental protection measures they have introduced these impacts are managed successfully and Lek is therefore not an environmental polluter,” says Mrs. Zornik.

As a pharmaceutical company which cares for the long-term improvement and maintenance of the quality of health and life, Lek operates in the humanitarian and healthcare fields, pays special attention to children and provides assistance in the areas of sports, culture, education and science. Lek’s wide-ranging engagement in the social environment has a common thread, which is a high level of responsibility for children and youth, for whom Lek endeavors to improve their present and future. Lek also has close connections with the surroundings in Mengeš and tries to help the local community to the best of its ability. It supports the Rudolf Maister Educational Center and the Mengeš Elementary School, cultural associations (Mengeš Brass Band, Freedom Mengeš) and the Kamnik Disabled Persons Training Institute. It also supports all of the volunteer fire departments in the area (Krašnja, Jarše Rodica, Šinkov turn, Rova, Mengeš, Lahovče), the operations of the local communities within the municipality (Preserje, Jarše Rodica), the Mengeš Ski and Ski-Jumping Club (funds for construction of a 30-meter ski jump), the Radomlje Tourist Association (Green Initiative project – landscaping of Škrjančevo recreational area), and the Peter Pavel Glavar Foundation.