- At Novartis in Slovenia, numerous breakthrough innovative technologies and concepts were introduced into development and production processes in the past year, achieving record production volumes and supplying markets around the world.
- In 2025, Novartis in Slovenia was gradually concluding its current investment cycle. The total value of investments carried out in the past year amounted to EUR 233 million.
- As the only company in Slovenia with the development and production of innovative medicines, Novartis confirmed its top‑level innovativeness with the national Innovation Award and the global Novartis VIVA Award.
- Novartis in Slovenia continued to grow in the number of employees – in 2025, more than 600 new colleagues were hired, and the year ended with 4,300 employees.
Ljubljana, February 4, 2026 – Novartis globally successfully concluded the 2025 business year with 8% net sales growth. Novartis in Slovenia delivered a strong contribution to the company’s global performance in 2025. With increased scope of work and continued growth in number of employees, they further solidified their position as one of the key hubs within the Novartis global network. The company closed the year as the leading provider of innovative medicines in the Slovenian market.
“In 2025, Novartis globally delivered the medicines to more than 300 million patients worldwide, reaffirming our commitment to expanding access to innovative therapies where significant unmet medical needs still exist. Despite a challenging environment, we ensured uninterrupted availability of all key Novartis medicines for Slovenian patients. At the same time, we highlight an urgent challenge: in Europe, patients wait an average of 578 days from EU approval to new medicines being available to patients in countries. Slovenia mirrors this trend with 550 days*, and the steadily increasing timelines are a growing concern. It’s important to understand the value of innovative medicines beyond their price and see healthcare as an investment rather than a cost, delivering long‑term health, societal and economic benefits. Therefore, we need to create sustainable and predictable access pathway to ensure timely access to new therapies for patients in Slovenia,” said Aymeric Royere, Novartis Slovenia Country President.
“In 2025, Novartis in Slovenia further strengthened its role within the company’s global network, as our development and manufacturing sites are responsible for more than half of Novartis priority medicines. Over the past year, we have introduced numerous breakthrough technologies and concepts into our development and production processes, modernized our work through digitalization and automation, achieved record production volumes, supplied markets around the world, and successfully launched new medicines in key markets,” said Petra Štefanič Anderluh, PhD, General Manager of Novartis LCC. “Our investments progressed according to plan, including the new development and manufacturing facilities in Ljubljana and Mengeš. However, we must recognize that sustaining this momentum requires a competitive and, above all, predictable business environment – one that will continue to enable strategic investment in Slovenia’s high‑tech pharmaceutical sector.”
Medicines from Slovenia supplied to more than 100 markets worldwide
Novartis in Slovenia significantly strengthened its development and manufacturing activities over the past year, as well as the role of Slovenian experts within the global Novartis network.
- In research and development, the focus was on completing the construction of the new technical development center for biologics in Mengeš, where also innovative medicines for clinical trials will be manufactured, bringing entirely new expertise to Slovenia. At the same time, new development concepts based on modeling and simulations were introduced, significantly shortening development timelines.
- In manufacturing, new technologies were implemented, including some used for the first time within Novartis (such as nano‑milling), marking important scientific milestones in the production of innovative medicines. For certain active ingredients and finished products, record production volumes were achieved. High quality standards were confirmed through successful inspections, and medicines were reliably supplied to more than 100 markets worldwide, including the launch of new medicines in key markets.
- Experts from global functions operating in Slovenia, including engineering, information technology, health, safety and environment, supply, finance and training and learning, supported the development and modernization of Novartis production sites, as well as the construction of new facilities worldwide, underscoring the vital role of Slovenian expertise within the global organization.
Strategic investments supported growth and the development of new expertise
The total value of investments carried out by Novartis in Slovenia in 2025 amounted to EUR 233 million, with a focus on new development and production facilities and introducing new technologies. Among the largest investments expected to start operating this year are the aseptic manufacturing facility in Ljubljana, the technical development center for biologics in Mengeš, and the multipurpose facility for the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients in Mengeš.
Last year, in the presence of the Slovenian Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr. Igor Papič, Novartis officially opened the new VIFA One facility, the company’s first specialized site for the production of viral vectors in Europe. With an investment of EUR 40 million, Novartis introduced new technology to Slovenia to support the manufacturing of breakthrough cell and gene therapies, significantly expanding its research and production capabilities in the biopharmaceutical sector.
Breakthrough innovation rooted in Slovenian expertise with global impact
Novartis is the first and only pharmaceutical company in Slovenia with the development and production of innovative medicines, confirming our long‑standing strategic commitment to science, progress, and advanced technologies. This approach to innovation was again recognized in 2025:
- The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia awarded Novartis in Slovenia the national Gold Innovation Award for the development of innovative technology that significantly accelerates the development of biologics and enables patients faster access to breakthrough therapies.
- Goran Miličić, PhD, Senior Scientist for Science and Technology in Biologics Development Mengeš, received the global Novartis VIVA Award for outstanding achievements in research and development, awarded for his expertise in integrating experimental insights with computational modeling.
Leading provider of innovative medicines in Slovenia
In 2025, Novartis innovative medicines across various therapeutic areas reached more than 80,000 patients in Slovenia. Also, 82 Slovenian patients were included in clinical trials in therapeutic areas of cardiology, oncology, neurology (multiple sclerosis) and kidney disease, giving them early access to new treatment options. Through the early access programs, they enabled access to innovative medicines for patients across key therapeutic areas — including breast cancer, C3 glomerulopathy, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, IgA nephropathy, and cardiovascular diseases in patients with elevated lipoprotein (a).
Through collaboration with patient organizations and disease-awareness campaigns, Novartis continued to support patient education and empowerment, especially in the fields of cardiology, hematology, oncology and neurology. A special highlight is the Lepo pozdravljena program, developed by Novartis in collaboration with experts. It is designed to support breast cancer survivors in building a new, healthier lifestyle after recovery.
Novartis in Slovenia grew to 4,300 employees in 2025
With the growth of business activities, Novartis in Slovenia continued to expand the need for new employees over the past year. More than 600 new experts were hired, and the year ended with 4,300 employees.
The company’s commitment to creating a diverse and supportive working environment, as well as investing in employee growth and well-being, was confirmed by their placement among the TOP 10 most reputable employers in Slovenia in the MojeDelo.com ranking.
The company implements a variety of HR practices to attract talent, as different parts of the organization continuously require new hires. In 2025, they again organized the summer internship program, offered scholarships, and collaborated with various student organizations. The traditional scientific event BioCamp, was dedicated last year to the role of artificial intelligence in the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare. With a record number of applications, the event hosted 35 selected students from 11 countries.
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The press release contains statements and forecasts about future business. The forecasts include estimates based on all the information currently available to us. If the assumptions in these forecasts prove to be unreliable, actual performance results could differ from those anticipated.
About Novartis
Novartis is a company for innovative medicines. Every day we strive to co-create medicine to improve and prolong people's lives, giving patients, healthcare professionals and society more options in the fight against life-threatening diseases. Our medicines reach nearly 300 million people worldwide.
Co-create medicine with us: visit us at https://www.novartis.com/si-sl and connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram.