The expansion programme is centred on a facility acquired by Sanofi-Synthelabo from Pharmavit last year, and is expected to be completed in 2006. The investment will allow the site to double its production from 60 million units per year currently to 120 million units annually.
Sanofi-Synthelabo is in the process of upgrading and modernising the manufacturing capabilities across the group
Sanofi-Synthelabo's Hungarian subsidiary, Chinoin, currently has two other pharmaceutical manufacturing sites - Ujpest, for the production of solid dosage forms, and Csanyikvolgy, for syringes and vials. Production will be progressively transferred in the coming years from Ujpest to Veresegyhaz, where the entire production of Chinoin's solid forms will be performed.
Jean-Francois Dehecq, CEO of Sanofi-Synthelabo, said that the new facility at Veresegyhaz would make Chinoin one of the major exporters of active ingredients and pharmaceuticals in Europe.