Swiss Pharma Giant Invests €200 Million for Vienna Expansion

Swiss Pharma Giant Invests €200 Million for Vienna Expansion

APA/AFP/PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA

 

Swiss pharmaceutical company Octapharma, specializing in medicines derived from human plasma, has significantly expanded its operations in Vienna’s Favoriten district. On Wednesday, the company unveiled its newly completed extension, which aims to boost capacity for visual inspection, packaging, and logistics. The €200 million investment reflects Octapharma’s commitment to meeting the growing global demand for plasma-based products, with further investments planned in the coming years.

Construction of the extension began in September 2023 and was completed in just 15 months. The areas for inspection, packaging, and logistics have more than doubled, from 2,800 to 6,300 square meters. The facility’s production capacity is expected to increase by 50%, addressing the rising demand for plasma products. “This expansion is essential to accommodate the global need for plasma-based therapies,” said Managing Director Barbara Rangetinger at the press conference. Previously, from 2019 to 2021, Octapharma had invested €142 million in a new production building at the site.

Global Demand for Plasma Products Continues to Grow

Octapharma cited a study by a U.S. market research firm to highlight the expanding market for plasma fractionation—a process that extracts proteins from human blood plasma. The global market is projected to grow from $35.2 billion to $62.8 billion within the next eight years. This growth is partly attributed to a rise in individuals with bleeding disorders, which increased from 280,000 in 2013 to 465,000 in 2023, according to the World Federation of Hemophilia. “These products are in demand worldwide,” said Alexander Herzog, Secretary General of the Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry in Austria.

The pharmaceutical industry contributes approximately 3% to Austria’s GDP, with strong representation across the country, including in regions such as Tyrol. Octapharma’s Vienna site, employing 1,500 staff, is the company’s largest globally, among its 31 locations. Most of the products manufactured in Vienna are exported to markets including China, the United States, and Indonesia. The expansion ensures uninterrupted production while preparing for future technological advancements. By 2027, a fully automated system for visual inspection of medicines will replace the current semi-automatic process.

Octapharma plans to continue investing in the Vienna site. A new product line is under development, and adjustments are being made following a recent inspection by Austria’s health and food safety agency, AGES, which introduced stricter regulations. The company expects to allocate €170 to €180 million over the next five to eight years to maintain and enhance operations.

Founded in 1983 by German entrepreneur Wolfgang Marguerre, Octapharma remains 100% family-owned. The company produces therapies in three key areas: hematology, immunology, and intensive care medicine.

Don’t have an account yet? 

Latest News

Reach out for a handcrafted promotion of your business or product.