In brief
History of group AB “Sanitas” (hereafter – Sanitas or Company) reaches as early as 1922, when pharmaceutical laboratory Sanitas was established in Kaunas city (Lithuania) and used to manufacture cosmetics. In the course of time, the company was intensely developed, its owners were changing.
History of the present Sanitas started in 1994, after privatization of the company. Manufacture was reformed according to the requirements of best manufacturing practice and developed further.
In May, 2004 Sanitas purchased shares of another Lithuanian manufacturer of pharmaceutical preparations AB “Endokrininiai preparatai”. In spring, 2005, in the territory of this company, at Veiverių g. 134, Kaunas, according to project “Modernization of manufacture of AB Sanitas”, which is partially financed by Structural Funds of the European Union, building of new modern factory of medicine manufacture was started. Project was finished in 2008.
In July, 2005 Sanitas purchased manufacturer of generic medicine, limited liability company “Hoechst – Biotika” spol. s. r. o. (hereafter – “Hoechst-Biotika”), established in Martin city, Slovakia. Pharmaceutical factory operating at the foot of the Tatra Mountain was established in 1992 and has modern equipment. Capacity of the factory allows manufacturing 80 million ampoules, 500 million tablets and about 122 tones of ointment, therefore, it has abilities to supply contract manufacturing services. Purchase of “Hoechst-Biotika” was first step to creation of Sanitas group and at the same time strong step into markets of the Central Europe.
At the end of 2006 “Hoechst-Biotika” established office in Prague, the Czech Republic, which later was re-registered to affiliate. “Hoechst-Biotika” company name was changed to "HBM Pharma" in the begining of 2010.
In 2006, Sanitas purchased shares of Polish generic pharmaceutical company “Jelfa” S.A. (hereafter – “Jelfa”) and at present manages 100% authorized capital of this company. During purchase process, in order to attract new assets, emission of shares was issued. “Invalda”, main shareholder of Sanitas together with several natural persons purchased shares; also, such world-famous investment funds as Amber Trust II SCA and Citigroup Venture Capital International Jersey Limited, became its shareholders.
Purchase of “Jelfa” was very important for developing Sanitas group and entering markets of Central Europe. Portfolio of group’s products was supplemented by more than 100 products. The most part of “Jelfa” products are sold in Poland, other part - in Russia, the Ukraine, the Baltic States, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia.
“Jelfa” has its trade agents in Russia (Moscow), Ukraine, Hungary and Bulgaria.
Thus, Sanitas group became a strong player in generic medicine market in Central and Eastern Europe. In 2009, average number of employees was 1459.
In September, 2008 the new modern plant was opened in
On 23 rd of December of 2008, Jelfa SA purchased 100% of shares of Pharmaceutical Laboratory, Homeofarm Sp. z o.o., - a company situated in Gdańsk. Due to the afore-mentioned fact, Jelfa has extended its product portfolio. Now, it includes also such popular and high quality ointments and creams as, for example: Ichthyol Ointment, Clotrimazolum cream and Zinc Ointment.
Main activities of Sanitas group companies are:
-manufacture and sale of various generic medicine,
-development of new products,
-contract manufacturing.
Group’s portfolio consists of 306 products. It is intended to increase by 60 products. A qualified team of medicine registration specialists works in the group. Centre of medicine registry is in Prague. Considering changes in requirements, much attention is paid to pharmacological vigilance in the group of companies. Thus, consumers are supplied with wide choice of good quality products.