Novo Nordisk's insulin formulation and filling facility in Russia was opened in April 2015. Credit: Novo Nordisk.
The facility is equipped with sophisticated research facilities and cleanrooms. Credit: Novo Nordisk.
The facility produces high-quality insulin for the treatment of diabetes. Credit: Novo Nordisk.
The facility has an 8,700sup2; total floor space. Credit: Novo Nordisk.

In April 2015, Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk inaugurated an insulin formulation and filling facility at Grabtsevo Industrial Park in the Kaluga region of Russia.

The site is Russia’s first greenfield, modern insulin production facility and it has the capacity to produce enough insulin to meet the demands of the Russian market.

The facility will produce modern insulin products, including Penfill cartridges and FlexPen prefilled insulin injection pens for the treatment of diabetes, to be sold on the Russian market. It is equipped with complex technology, research facilities and cleanrooms.

Novo Nordisk’s facility will meet the demand for modern insulin for more than 200,000 Russian patients and ensure the company can produce high-quality insulin to reach more than 467,000 people a day.

Details of the Novo Nordisk insulin formulation and filling facility in Kaluga, Russia

“The facility will produce modern insulin products, including Penfill cartridges and FlexPen prefilled insulin injection pens for the treatment of diabetes, to be sold on the Russian market.”

The insulin formulation and filling facility at Grabtsevo Industrial Park has an 8,700m² total floor space. It was designed in compliance with European and Russian good manufacturing practice (GMP) standards, as well as environmental and energy efficiency requirements.

Novo Nordisk built its high-tech complex of manufacturing and infrastructure facilities in partnership with the Kaluga Pharmaceutical Cluster with a $100m investment.

This investment contributes to Russia’s Strategy Pharma 2020 programme, which aims to boost the country’s pharmaceutical industry by improving its production capacity.

The plant will also be used for key regional programmes, such as a centre for professional training for the pharmaceutical industry. It currently employs 150 people and is expected to offer more jobs in the near future.

Construction of the insulin formulation and filling facility in Kaluga

In April 2010, the Kaluga regional government and Novo Nordisk signed a co-operation agreement for the construction of the insulin production facility.

The construction began with a ground-breaking ceremony held in April 2012 and took around three years to complete. The state-of-the-art facility was officially opened in April 2015.

Contractors involved with the Novo Nordisk facility in Kaluga

US-based business management consultant Spectrum Group was contracted to provide project management, quality control, construction supervision and management, as well as administrative general contract and permitting consulting services for the facility.

The project construction team included specialists from Denmark, the UK, the US and Russia.

Sustainability profile of the insulin formulation and filling facility in Russia

The building was constructed using energy-efficient methods that comply with environmental targets, including carbon dioxide emissions, water consumption and use of energy.

Marketing commentary of Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company based in Denmark. It has more than 90 years of experience producing diabetic care products.

The company is also engaged in the development of products and treatments for haemophilia care, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy.

Novo Nordisk employs around 41,500 people in 75 countries and sells products in more than 180 countries.