Nycomed - Global Contract Manufacturing of Pharmaceuticals

Nycomed is a privately owned, global pharmaceutical company with headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. The company employs 12,500 associates worldwide and has affiliates in more than 70 countries. Nycomed has a strong presence in Europe and in the fast-growing markets in Russia/CIS, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East.

In 2010, total sales reached €3.2 billion, with an adjusted EBITDA of €851 million. Nycomed ranks 28th among global pharmaceutical companies.

Nycomed's differentiated portfolio of branded medicines is focused on gastroenterology, respiratory and inflammatory diseases, pain, osteoporosis and tissue management. An extensive range of OTC products completes the portfolio.

Research and development is conducted at three sites in Europe and one in India. New products are sourced from our own internal discovery organisation and in-licensed from external companies such as small biotechs. Establishing long-term partnerships is a cornerstone of Nycomed's growth strategy.

Nycomed has 15 manufacturing sites: five centres of competence in Europe for global products as well as ten production sites for regional products in fast-growing countries such as Brazil and Mexico. A major investment is being made in a new pharmaceutical plant in Russia, currently Nycomed's biggest single market.

Pharmaceutical manufacturing in a global supply chain network

Our manufacturing operations provide a competitive advantage for the whole company through an innovative, global supply chain network. This network is constantly reviewed and optimised in the interests of increasing the utilisation of its capacity, enhancing supply chain performance, maintaining a high level of customer service and decreasing the cost of goods sold (COGS). Thus, it delivers Nycomed's products and services to its customers with the right balance of quality, reliability, responsiveness and costs.

Ensuring the availability of Nycomed's products and services for customers in the most efficient manner requires an integrated approach. Nycomed's operational activities are part of the company's value stream. A significant volume of contract manufacturing further optimises the utilisation of the manufacturing network.

Our 16 manufacturing facilities located in twelve countries meet the highest international quality standards. Our combination of central and regional manufacturing acts to ensure rapid response when opening up new and expanding existing markets.

Partnership plays a vital role for all of our operational activities. Close cross-functional collaboration and seamless processes between internal teams and external partners help us to respond quickly and accurately to market demand.

Pharmaceutical competence centres

As a part of the continuous optimisation programme for our production network, we have established competence centres for certain technologies and/or pharmaceutical business areas. This helps us to increase capability in our core competence areas. For example, the plants in Singen (Germany), Oranienburg (Germany), Linz (Austria), Asker (Norway) and Lyszkowice (Poland) already participate in this concept.

Pharmaceutical R&D, manufacturing and sales partnerships

Partnerships play an essential role at Nycomed. Wherever we operate, we offer our research, development, regulatory, manufacturing, marketing and sales expertise to our partners. And, where we are not present, we are ready to cooperate. Around the world, we are currently working with up to 100 partners who allow us to adapt our capabilities to meet market needs.

Solids, semi-solids, liquids and steriles production

Nycomed offers both basic and specialised technologies for bulk production and packaging. With its comprehensive technology portfolio, providing specific and niche technologies, the production capabilities range from nutritional and vitamin products to pharmaceutical products. Nycomed also offers a broad range of steriles based on a variety of ingredients.

Our technologies produce all classic pharmaceutical dosage forms such as:

• Solids (tablets, capsules, powders and pellets)
• Liquids (suspensions, syrups and solutions)
• Sterile liquids (ear, eye and nasal drops)

Nycomed provides the whole range of packaging technologies for solids, semi-solids and liquids, sterile and non-sterile products:

• Blisters in various formats (PVC, PVC/PVDC, PVC/Alu, Alu/Alu, Aclar, Triplex, COC)
• Bottles (glass, PE)
• Sachets (Alu/Alu)
• Stick packs
• Wallet packaging
• Thermo-shaped units
• Tubes (Alu)
• Ampoules (glass, plastic)
• Flaconettes (glass, plastic)
• Pre-filled syringes (glass, plastic)
• Vials (glass, plastic)
• Blow-fill-seal (gels, liquids)
• Pump sprays

Packaging development:

• Design of packaging format
• Development
• Material research

Pharmaceutical product development services

Whether you need assistance in process optimisation, scale-up, optimisation of analytics or CMC-documentation, Nycomed can be of help. With our qualified and dedicated professional staff and excellent laboratory facilities, you can trust us with your development projects, starting with effective product transfer management.

Product development services:

• Effective transfer management
• Optimisation of formulations
• Scale-up and optimisation of production processes
• Optimisation of analytical methods
• Bulk clinical supplies
• Stability testing
• Regulatory support (CMC dossier)
• Market form design (bulk and packaging)

We meet the highest international quality standards. All our manufacturing sites in Europe are regularly inspected by EMA and local health authorities. Our competence centres in Germany have been approved for supply to the US. Austria will be inspected by the FDA soon. We are an approved supplier for liquids and semi-solids to Japan.

In Latin and South America, we not only adhere to the strictest local quality standards (ANVISA, INVIMA, etc.) but also global standards (FDA, EMA), wherever reasonable.