Sandoz is the global leader in generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilars, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland. Following its separation from Novartis in October 2023, Sandoz operates as an independent, pure-play company with a workforce of approximately 22,000 employees serving more than 100 countries.

Core Business and Portfolio

Sandoz specializes in developing and manufacturing “off-patent” medicines—affordable versions of high-quality drugs whose patents have expired.

Product Volume:
The company maintains a broad portfolio of approximately 1,300 to 1,500 products.

Patient Reach:
Sandoz provides roughly 900 million patient treatments annually.

Key Divisions:

Generics:
Includes standard and complex generics (such as inhalers and injection systems).

Biosimilars:
Sandoz pioneered this category and currently has 11 biosimilars on the market with 27 more in development.

Anti-infectives:
Sandoz is the world’s second-largest producer of antibiotics, which serve as the foundation of modern healthcare.

Therapeutic Areas:
Oncology, cardiovascular diseases, central nervous system disorders, respiratory conditions, dermatology, immunology, and diabetes.

Historical Milestones
Founded in 1886 as Kern & Sandoz, the company has a long history of medical breakthroughs.

1929:
Launched Calcium Sandoz, a foundation for modern calcium therapy.

1951:
Discovered the first acid-resistant penicillin, enabling oral administration.

1996:
Merged with Ciba-Geigy to form Novartis.

2003:
Novartis united its global generics businesses under the Sandoz brand.

2006:
Launched Omnitrope®, the world’s first approved biosimilar.

2023:
Officially became a standalone company after spinning off from Novartis.

Strategic Operations and Facilities

Global Presence:
Significant operations are located in Germany (Holzkirchen), Czechia (Prague), and Spain (Barcelona).

Key Facilities:
Major manufacturing and development hubs include Kundl, Austria (penicillin and finished dosage forms), Holzkirchen, Germany (biosimilar development), and Brnik, Slovenia (sterile biosimilar manufacturing).

B2B Unit:
Provides third-party pharmaceutical companies with access to its portfolio of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and finished dosage forms.

Impact:
In 2024, Sandoz generated more than USD 19 billion in direct savings for healthcare systems in the US and Europe.

Corporate Strategy and Goals
The company’s purpose is “pioneering access for patients” by making medicines more affordable and sustainable.

Growth Levers:
Sandoz focuses on high-value biosimilars and complex generics to improve margins while expanding its geographic footprint in the US and international markets.

Sustainability:
The company is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and preserving natural resources as part of its ESG strategy.

Digital Innovation:
Sandoz utilizes advanced tools like PyTorch and Power BI for AI-driven process improvements and data analytics.