Novartis, a Swiss multinational in the pharmaceutical sector bets on Italy. The company plans to carry out investments of 350 million of Euro by 2025, with the aim of strengthening production lines and developing innovative drugs.
There are five therapeutic areas in which it will concentrate its efforts: cardiovascular, immunology, neurosciences, solid tumors and hematology.
The repositioning of Novartis in Italy, with significant investments and focus on different therapeutic areas, is a decision following the spin-off of Sandoz, specializing in generic drugs, and to list it on the Zurich stock exchange and in the United States
Investments in the hubs in Piedmont and Campania
The investment of 350 million euros is aimed at enhance the capacity for scientific innovation in Italy, increasing the production capacity of the factories, in particular i poles of Torre Annunziata (Campania) e Ivrea/Colleretto Giacosa (Piedmont).
The Campania laboratory is responsible for the production of one of the more innovative drugs of Novartis for the heart failure, mainly exported to the United States, Korea, China and Europe. The annual production capacity of the plant is 140 million packages, including 15 different types of medicines, destined for 118 countries.
The two factories, together with the research and development laboratories, will receive at least 60 million per year for the next three years.
“It is an investment in Italian skills capable of finding quick solutions to complex issues, guaranteeing high product quality and production continuity. Qualities that are also found in research centers and universities and which have made Italy the leading exporter of pharmaceutical products" he explained Valentino Confalone, Country President Novartis Italy.
100 hires are also expected
Novartis also plans tohiring of 100 new employees, many of whom are already training to manage future production lines.
A Colleretto Giacosa, in Piedmont, are expected investments of 84 million euros in three years to enhance research and production of innovative cancer therapies based on radiopharmaceuticals.
The company strategy aims to significantly enhance the Piedmontese hub which manages production not only for the Italian market, but also for Europe, the United States, Canada, Japan, China, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan, with prospects of expansion also in the countries South Americans.
Currently, three quarters of production I am already intended for export and the new investment foresees an increase in production of over 20%, bringing the share of turnover generated by exports from 60% to 90%.
Radioligands: new frontier of nuclear medicine
The Colleretto Giacosa/Ivrea hub, already expanded in October, represents thelast frontier of nuclear medicine of precision in oncology. This is where the first drug based on radioligands, radiopharmaceuticals capable of selectively identifying tumor cells and eliminating them through the use of radioactive particles, without damaging healthy cells.
"I radioligands – explained Confalone – they represent one innovative therapy which is finding application in the field of solid tumors. The Ivrea plant was the first to create radiopharmaceuticals capable of selectively recognizing tumor cells and eliminating them through the use of radioactive particles, without damaging healthy cells. This therapy is result of Made in Italy research carried out right here and was distributed throughout the world. Today the plant is so important that we continue to invest over 100 million over the next three years."
"Investing in the future of health and therefore on the future of Italy it is a duty for a company like Novartis, strongly rooted in the country and naturally projected towards the future. We contribute to the development of the country and to the future of health through targeted investments in innovation, strengthening of production sites in Italy and strategic partnerships" concluded Confalone.
