Biologics giant Biogen is investing USD one billion in a next-generation manufacturing facility in Luterbach, near Solothurn, Switzerland, tripling production capacity and creating 400 new jobs. The decision to situate the new capabilities outside of North America reflects an eagerness to attain a greater level of diversity across our production…

Novartis Novartis Czech Republic’s Heidrun Irschik explains the potentially game-changing ramifications of Big Data on the Czech pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.   The opportunities offered by big data are present and we need to tap into this immense potential Heidrun Irschik, Novartis Big data: a technological phenomenon with potential commensurate to…

Italy Italy’s traditional family-owned pharmaceutical companies are one of its greatest strengths; but these companies must be amenable to outside influence in order to grow sustainably. [There is] a lot of liquidity in the market, including amongst the family businesses … and there are now a lot of companies looking for…

Pharma France provides a unique environment for dermo-cosmetics companies such as Pierre Fabre, Uriage, and Galderma to thrive in terms of the industry’s historical legacy in the country, abundant natural resources, and a tradition of openness and understanding of dermatology. [France is] a unique environment for the growth of dermo-cosmetic brands. French dermatologists have a…

Medtech France has a rich history in innovation, especially in the medical devices sector, but has not been able to produce a giant in the sector to compare with the global impact of Sanofi and Servier in pharmaceuticals. New models of public-private partnership however have the potential to change this. Medical devices is…

Pharma Switzerland’s pharma industry is moving beyond staid conservatism and embracing risk in order to compete internationally and foster a new culture of innovation. Switzerland is frequently considered one of the most entrepreneurial and competitive countries in the world. As Thomas Cunei, secretary general of Interpharma, the association that represents 92…

Pharma After a number of years of difficulty post-2008 and the euro-debt crisis, Ireland’s pharma manufacturing industry and economy in general is now firmly on the up. The local Irish pharma market is still under some pressure following years of austerity which saw the average price of a reimbursable medicine cut…

Hungary Preventive healthcare and health literacy are core issues in Hungary that, if left unaddressed, may hinder the country’s ability to push its health agenda forward and create a more sustainable system.   According to the OECD, life expectancy at birth in Hungary was 75.6 years in 2014, well below the…

Czech Republic There is frequent dialogue between the pharmaceutical industry, relevant regulatory authorities, and government stakeholders in the Czech Republic, but this dialogue is often strained. However, more frequent and constructive interaction between the myriad actors involved in Czech pharma and healthcare is helping push the industry to new heights.    Jan Žaloudík,…

Czech Republic Women’s health is an increasingly significant niche for pharma companies operating in the Czech Republic, with large areas of unmet need and opportunities for growth.   We have great expectations [because] fertility as a therapeutic area is the one in which I identify the largest potential for the future Rene…

Pharma Digitalization, a hot topic throughout the healthcare and life sciences industry, is having a major effect in Italy through more personalized home care for patients, allowing the government to cut costs, and enabling greater public access to innovative medical technologies. Telemedicine, a key differentiator in tender processes, is not yet used…

Czech Republic The Czech Republic and Slovakia share a common past as Czechoslovakia, which parted in 1993. 23 years later, companies like LEO Pharma, Exeltis, and Wörwag are once again realising the synergies between these markets and adapting their strategies accordingly.   Regarding the Czech Republic and Slovakia is definitely beneficial, according to Renata Martinakova,…