Minister Dr Pikalo addressed the participants of the Regional BioCamp 2013
On Monday, 13 May 2013, the Minister of Education, Science and Sport, Dr Jernej Pikalo, at the premises of Lek Pharmaceuticals, a Sandoz company, in Ljubljana addressed the participants of the Regional BioCamp 2013 which hosts the most promising students from the Alpe-Adria region. The Regional BioCamp encourages cooperation between academia and industry in the field of pharmacy. The participants from 7 countries, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Monte Negro, Macedonia and Austria, are taking part.
Minister Dr Pikalo emphasised that the objective of scientific research is not merely to create patents but also to exchange ideas and good practices and forge social links. Investing in research and development has a much greater multiplicative effect than investing in infrastructure. One of the objectives of this Government is to connect science and industry. This means not only a product exchange but also an exchange of young doctorial students and the creation of innovation schemes such as centers of excellence. “Our main goal is to pool all our talents.” According to the Minister, Slovenia needs bold and innovative ideas from people with vision. “An event like this contributes significantly towards creating an institutional frame for an exchange of new ideas and opportunities for young researchers to meet their future employers,” said the Minister and, in conclusion, wished the participants every success.
The Regional BioCamp will come to a conclusion on the occasion of the announcement of winners on the evening of 14 May.
Lek, a Sandoz company, is one of key pillars of the second-largest generic pharmaceutical company globally. Its role within Sandoz is to act as: a leading global development center for products and technologies; a global manufacturing center for active pharmaceutical ingredients and medicines; a competence center for the development of vertically integrated products; a Sandoz competence center in the field of development and manufacturing of biosimilar products; and, a supply center for the markets of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), South East Europe (SEE) and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and it is responsible for sales on the Slovenian market. For further information please visit http://www.lek.si/eng/.
Sandoz, the generic pharmaceuticals division of Novartis, is a global leader in the rapidly growing generics industry. Sandoz offers a broad range of about 1, 100 high-quality, affordable products that are no longer protected by patents. With nearly 26,000 employees in approximately 140 countries, Sandoz holds the #1 position globally in biosimilars, injectables, ophthalmics and dermatology as well as a strong global #5 position in inhalables. Key product groups include antibiotics, treatments for central nervous system disorders, gastrointestinal medicines, cardiovascular treatments, and hormone therapies. Sandoz develops, produces, and markets these medicines along with pharmaceutical and biotechnological active substances and anti-infectives. In addition to strong organic growth in recent years, Sandoz has made a series of acquisitions including Lek (Slovenia), Sabex (Canada), Hexal (Germany), Eon Labs (US), EBEWE Pharma (Austria), Oriel Therapeutics (US), and Fougera Pharmaceuticals (US). In 2012, Sandoz posted sales of USD 8.7 billion. For more information, please visit www.sandoz.com.
Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, eye care, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines and diagnostic tools, over-the-counter and animal health products. Novartis is the only global company with leading positions in these areas. In 2012, the Group achieved net sales of USD 56.7 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.3 billion (USD 9.1 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges). Novartis Group companies employ approximately 128,000 full-time-equivalent associates and operate in more than 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit www.novartis.com.
This press release contains statements and conclusions based on projections of Lek’s future business operations. These estimates are derived from the best information currently available. In case these forecasts prove unreliable, the actual results could prove different from those projected.
For additional information contact:
Katarina Klemenc
Corporate Communications
Lek Pharmaceuticals d. d.
Phone: +386 1 580 22 43
Fax: +386 1 580 24 32
katarina.klemenc@sandoz.com
