Daiichi Sankyo invests around one billion euros in Germany: Pfaffenhofen (Bavaria) site to be expanded into an international innovation centre

Daiichi Sankyo is investing around one billion euros to expand its production and development site in Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, north of Munich, into an international innovation centre. At least 350 new jobs will be created by 2030, including numerous positions for top international researchers, process engineers and other specialised sterile and biotechnology specialists. In addition to additional production capacities in the field of cardiovascular diseases, new laboratories will be created, particularly for antibody drug conjugate (ADC) technology. This will be used to develop and produce novel cancer therapies in Pfaffenhofen for breast, lung and stomach cancer, among others.

„These investments are a clear commitment to our Group goal of helping to improve the quality of life around the world. We are on our way to becoming one of the world's leading oncology companies. We are building on the continued success of our cardiovascular medicines. By expanding our oncology activities, we aim to make an even greater contribution to medical progress in the future. This will enable us to offer patients new treatment options. With its many years of expertise, our Pfaffenhofen site has all the prerequisites for this," explains Masahiro Kato, Managing Director and Chairman of the Executive Board of Daiichi Sankyo Europe.

Federal Minister Prof Karl Lauterbach commented on the occasion of his visit to the Pfaffenhofen site today: "Daiichi Sankyo's billion-euro investment is very good news for patients and for Germany as a pharmaceutical location. The pharmaceutical strategy and the digitalisation of our healthcare system strengthen Germany as a location for research and production. The fact that novel therapeutic methods are being researched and developed here motivates us as the Federal Government to further accelerate the strategy of promoting pharmaceutical research and production. To this end, we are removing bureaucratic hurdles with the Medical Research Act and creating fast-track authorisation channels. We are also enabling the use of health data for research projects.

Modern cancer therapies “Made in Germany”

For more than 60 years, the Pfaffenhofen production site has stood for the highest quality standards. The medicines produced at the plant are shipped to more than 50 countries worldwide. Pharmaceutical development is also already taking place at the site: Colleagues are developing suitable dosage forms and the associated production processes based on the active ingredients provided by our researchers in Japan in order to be able to manufacture them on an industrial scale. Pfaffenhofen is also one of Daiichi Sankyo's largest sites worldwide for the manufacture of clinical products. The development of new analytical methods is also of particular importance for ensuring quality. These are developed in the analytical department and later used in quality control to test the finished medicinal products. At the end of 2023, the company will move into a new building that offers space for both departments.

Matthias Kühn, Site Manager at Daiichi Sankyo Europe in Pfaffenhofen, on the decision to expand the site into an international innovation centre: „The fact that we will increasingly focus on oncological therapies in Pfaffenhofen in the future is positive in two respects, especially for patients: Firstly, we can make a significant contribution to the increased global demand for ADC cancer therapies. On the other hand, we are demonstrating our future viability and the top quality that we provide here." In expanding the plant, the company is working intensively with the existing and growing network of local, regional and supra-regional partner companies.

First league of antique body production

One of the elements of the investment is the new building for Daiichi Sankyo's ADC, which is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. Daiichi Sankyo will thus very likely join the "premier league of biotech companies" in the DACH region.

In addition to production and research, the investments will also strengthen quality assurance and logistics. Renewable energies will play an increasingly important role: The plant already relies on wind, hydro, biomass and solar energy, which it generates itself either with its own plants or in co-operation with local partners. This brings Daiichi Sankyo a big step closer to its vision of contributing to the sustainable development of society.

¨ber Daiichi Sankyo

Daiichi Sankyo is developing new approaches and innovative medicines in the fields of oncology and cardiovascular diseases. We utilise our world-class research and technology to improve the quality of life in diseases with high unmet medical need worldwide. Our strong development pipeline builds on over a century of research history. 16,000 employees in over 20 countries contribute to our vision of becoming an innovative global healthcare company by 2030, contributing to the sustainable development of society. Further information can be found at www.daiichi-sankyo.de.

Forward-looking statements

This press release contains assumptions, expectations and forecasts regarding the future development of the industry and the legal and economic framework of Daiichi Sankyo Europe GmbH. These assumptions, expectations and projections are uncertain and subject to change at any time, in particular the risks inherent in global pharmaceutical companies, such as the impact of product and raw material prices, drug safety, currency exchange rate fluctuations, government regulations, labour relations, taxes, political instability and terrorism, and the outcome of pending claims and government investigations affecting the company. All forward-looking statements contained in this release are made as of the date hereof. They are not guarantees of future performance. Actual events or developments may differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Daiichi Sankyo Europe GmbH assumes no responsibility to update such assumptions, expectations and projections about the future development of the industry, the legal and economic environment and the company.

Press release from "Daiichi Sankyo Deutschland GmbH" dated 16 February 2024