In brief
In 1922 A. Rozenberg, E. Taubman and M. Judasin established chemistry-pharmacy laboratory “Sanitas“ specializing in the field of cosmetics production. In the early twenties the company was manufacturing patented drugs of 100 different names. When the Soviet Union occupied Lithuania, the company was nationalized and amalgamated with company “Germapo”. In the post-war period the company was intensively growing: manufacturing scope was increasing, technical base was renewed and technological procedures were improved. In 1967 a modern ampoule workshop corresponding to the requirements valid at that time was built. In 1990, after Lithuania regained its independence, “Sanitas” was transferred to the state of Lithuania under the title of ownership.
Contemporary history of public limited liability company AB “Sanitas” started after privatization of the company 1994. In the course of reorganization in 1996 tablet and capsule packaging workshop was reconstructed in order it complied with requirements of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). In 1999 a new workshop of ampoule preparation manufacturing which fully complied with GMP requirements started to operate. In 2000 quality management system corresponding to ISO 9000 standards was set in the company. In the same year the Lithuanian Standardization Department granted the company ISO 9002 Certificate, and in 2004 it granted ISO 9001:2001 Certificate. In 2001 serial drug manufacturing was started in injection preparation workshop. In 2003 workshop of injection preparation was reconstructed so that complied with GMP requirements. After reconstruction of the said workshop was finished in 2004, the company was the first in Lithuania to get Good Manufacturing Practice Certificate on Production of Fluid Sterile Drugs Produced by Aseptic Processing. At the end of 2004 the company was granted GMP Certificate on Production of Solid Drugs Capsules and Packaging of Tablets and Capsules into External and Internal Packaging. In 2005 the company was granted GGP Certificate for Production of Solid Drugs Tablets.
In 2004 the company was reorganized: it amalgamated with public limited liability company AB “Baltijos finansu vystymo grupe” which due to reorganization ended its activity as a legal entity; AB “Sanitas” continues its activities and is the successor of all assets, rights and obligations of AB “Baltijos finansu vystymo grupe”.
In May 2004 AB “Sanitas” acquired 40 percent of shares owned by AB “Endokrininiai preparatai”. The latter company was manufacturing pharmaceutical preparations. Following the membership of Lithuania in the European Union in May 2004, new regulations came into force; these regulations provided that any company manufacturing and trading in drugs had to obtain good manufacturing practice certificates and good distribution practice certificates within particular transitional period. AB “Endokrininiai preparatai” failed to obtain the required certificates, and as a result liquidation procedure was initiated on 15 April 2005. On 29 April 2005 AB “Sanitas” increased the shares up to 67 percent. The liquidation procedure was finished by the end of 2005 when the shareholders were paid liquidation funds. The company was excluded from the registers in May 2006.
In July 2004 AB “Sanitas” acquired 100 percent of shares belonging to the private limited liability company “Altisana”. The latter company undertook real estate business in Kaunas. In 2005 the company sold real estate including industrial buildings of UAB “Altisana”; it is planned to build an area of residential houses instead. In this way the main field of activity namely, manufacturing of pharmaceutical preparations was separated from unrelated activities.
In July 2005 AB “Sanitas” purchased 100 percent of shares owned by limited liability company “Hoechst-Biotika” s.r.o., established in Martin, Slovakia. The modern pharmacy manufactory operating at the base of Tatra previously belonged to “Aventis”, one of the biggest pharmacy manufacturers in the world. The company was established in 1992. Almost all equipment in the factory was acquired immediately after establishment of the company; in fact, the insulator that was obtained in 1996 is still the most modern one in the world. The capacities of the company exceed the current manufacturing capacities of AB “Sanitas”: 80 million ampoules, 500 million tablets and about 122 tons of ointment can be produced each year. Having acquired this factory, AB “Sanitas” made a large step to the markets of the Western Europe. Moreover, there is a potential to extend markets, the company will be able to manufacture necessary products there till the new factory is built in Kaunas, as well as use experience of qualified employees and enhance the name of AB “Sanitas” as a manufacturer of high quality.
In spring 2005 a new factory for modern manufacturing of drugs was started building at Veiveriu g. 134, Kaunas under the project “Modernization of Manufacturing by AB “Sanitas”” which is partially financed by the structural funds of the European Union.
On 17 January 2006 a subsidiary company “Sanitas Polska” spol. s. r. o. of a specialized purpose was established in Poland. This company was established while implementing the project on acquisition of shares of the Polish company “Jelfa” SA.
On 14 April 2006 the procedure for Official Tender for acquiring 100 percent of “Jelfa” SA shares which was announced by “Sanitas Polska” spol. z.o.o. on 27 February 2006 was completed. “Sanitas Polska” spol. z.o.o. acquired 5 750 190 shares owned by “Jelfa” SA which amount to 84.56 percent of authorized capital thereof.
On 24 July 2006 the buyout procedure that was initiated by “Sanitas Polska” spol. z o.o. came into force. According to this procedure, the shareholder minority of the Polish pharmacy company “Jelfa” S.A. had to sell the shares of “Jelfa” S.A. that they had to “Sanitas Polska” spol. z o.o. 322 765 ordinary nominal shares of 4 Polish zloty nominal value were sold in total which corresponds to 4.75 percent of authorized capital of “Jelfa” S.A. The buyout price was 93 Polish zloty. The end of share buyout was 31 July 2006. As a result, AB “Sanitas” and “Sanitas Polska” spol. z.o.o. manage 100 percent of authorized capital of. “Jelfa” S.A.
This acquisition played an important role in the development of the company and its entry to the markets of the Central Europe. In addition, technologies and manufacturing capacities of the acquired company will be used in manufacturing of new drugs and new forms of drugs.
In September, 2008 the new modern plant was opened in Kaunas. The newly installed production equipment allowed to increase capacity of production and to extend the assortment - the new lines for eye drops and syringes were implemented.
