STA, 1 October 2019 - Krka, the Novo Mesto-seated pharmaceuticals group, has launched a new research and development centre to nearly double its R&D, and control and analysis capacities.
"With the new facility, which has state-of-the-art equipment for laboratories, analysis and technology, we've almost doubled Krka's development as well as control and analysis capacities, thus significantly improving R&D, which is at the core of Krka's vertically integrated business model," said Aleš Rotar, R&D director.
The Research and Control Centre 4 (RKC 4) is a EUR 55.6 million investment located on the outskirts of Novo Mesto, and is connected with a bridge to RKC 3 and then on to RKC 1.
The eight-storey building with 18,000 square metres of offices accommodates new control and analysis labs and R&D areas, CEO Jože Colarič said before Tuesday's inauguration.
Rotar stressed the centre was especially important for pilot development of solid pharmaceuticals as a key component in the development of new products.
The company believes RKC 4 will enable it to carry out advanced R&D tests at the very early laboratory stage and define the key features of a product in early stages.
At today's inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Marjan Šarec labelled Krka as one of Slovenia's flagship companies, praising the company for its exports trends, development strategies, independence and its role in the local community.
He considers the investment an important milestone and an opportunity for development.
In the first half of 2019, the group posted a net profit of EUR 139.9 million, up 37% from the same period in 2018, on EUR 761.8 million sales revenue, up 12%.
The plan for this year is to finish with EUR 1.38 billion in sales revenue and EUR 172 million in net profit.
The group allocates 10% of its revenue for R&D and new technologies, and has more than 170 development projects for new products are under way.
It generates 29% of its sales with the new medicines which they have started selling over the past five years.
