Polpharma opens first center in Poland for development and production of highly active substances

Technology, safety and products of the highest quality

The center’s cutting-edge technology and high standards will allow the development and production of substances that help patients in the fight against oncological diseases, multiple sclerosis or spinal myositis (SMA), among others.

As a first step, the substances that will be produced at the newly opened facility are:

• Trametinib: used to treat melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer.
• Vismodegib: for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma.

And to be developed in the near future:

• Ozanimod: used to treat multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease.
• Risdiplam: a drug for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

The center was built with concern for the highest safety standards for workers and the environment. Laboratory equipment includes the best possible best-in-class safety technologies to protect workers from exposure to highly active substances, in the form of isolators, as well as additional solutions for collective (secondary) protection.

Importance of investments for drug safety

Currently, about 80% of global API production takes place outside Europe, mainly in Asia. In Poland, of the approximately 400 reimbursable molecules, only about 3% come from domestic production. Polpharma’s investment is aimed at increasing local production capacity, which is crucial to ensure continuity of drug supply and independence from external sources.

Polpharma CEO Sebastian Szymanek emphasized: “Prometheus is not only a state-of-the-art facility, but first and foremost a comprehensive solution for the production of highly active active substances (HP APIs). These are substances that are of key importance, among others, in the field of oncology, where, as we all know, the incidence of cancer is unfortunately growing at an alarming rate. Our investment will allow us to fight this challenge more effectively, providing the necessary tools for modern medicine. Our enthusiasm and pride stem from the conviction that, thanks to Prometheus, Polpharma will be able to contribute even more effectively to improving the health and quality of life of patients not only in Poland, but also throughout Europe. This is how we realize our mission “We help people live healthy lives in a healthy world.”

Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, Mieczyslaw Struk, added: “Without drugs, no operation will take place, in the overwhelming majority of cases of patients, doctors are completely helpless without the use of drugs. However, before a drug reaches a pharmacy or hospital, it must be developed by scientists and then produced in specialized factories. This requires close cooperation between manufacturers, the government, regulators, pharmacists, doctors and patients to ensure that drugs are safe, effective, accessible and used appropriately.

Capacity development

The opening of the center is just the beginning. Further development is planned in the field of production and research of high-active substances. A doubling of production capacity is planned, in the form of a second small-scale production line and the construction of a new production hall designed for the production of highly active substances in much larger quantities, as well as a quality control laboratory adapted to the requirements arising from work with such substances.

Thanks to Polpharma’s new center, the search for innovative solutions becomes possible, the development of the Polish pharmaceutical industry takes place, and a contribution is made to building Poland’s drug safety.