Sandoz Opens New Device Development Center In Cambridge, UK

New center to support global pipeline of drug-device combination products, further expanding access to affordable medicines

Sandoz, the global leader in generic and biosimilar medicines, today announced the opening of a state-of-the-art device development center in Cambridge, UK. Located at Cambridge Science Park, the new facility will serve as a global hub for developing advanced drug delivery devices that support the extensive Sandoz pipeline of affordable medicines.

With a robust pipeline of generic products and leading expertise in drug-device combination products, the Cambridge center will support the development of a broad range of devices to support pharmaceutical drug delivery. These technologies play a critical role in expanding access to generics and biosimilars.

Richard Saynor, CEO of Sandoz, was joined at the inauguration by UK Life Sciences Minister Baroness Merron and Sandoz Chief Scientific Officer Claire D’Abreu-Hayling. Reflecting on the centre’s role in Sandoz global operations, Dave Ahern, Head of the Sandoz Device Development Center, said: “The opening of the new facility marks the next exciting step in our journey to build a world-class medical device and drug-device combination development organization. Sandoz offers a unique opportunity for engineers, scientists, and project managers to work on a diverse range of technologies. With so much local expertise and talent, Cambridge is the ideal location for us.”

Diane DiGangi Trench, Sandoz UK and Ireland Country Head, added, ““The new Sandoz device development centre shows our commitment to life sciences innovation, not only in the UK but globally. The research we do in Cambridge will enable Sandoz to expand access to biosimilar and complex generic medicines to patients across the world. These drug-device medicines are crucial to enable healthcare systems around the world, including in the UK, to open up access for patients in a financially sustainable way.”

The opening of this facility is part of the ongoing Sandoz investment in talent and innovation. Since acquiring Cambridge-based Coalesce Product Development in 2022, Sandoz UK has increased headcount by 50% in 2024, with further hiring planned for 2025. By building an expert in-house team, Sandoz aims to accelerate product development timelines, ensure first-time regulatory approvals, and streamline technology transfer to manufacturing sites worldwide.

About the Sandoz Device Development Center

The new facility includes:

• An advanced engineering workshop equipped with 5-axis CNC machining, 3D printing, and laser cutting
• A metrology lab featuring CT scanning, coordinate measuring machines, and microscopy
• Mechanical testing laboratories with automated test equipment and high-speed video capabilities
• Analytical chemistry labs with a comprehensive suite of tools to ensure the highest standards in drug delivery performance

As Sandoz continues to drive healthcare innovation globally, the Cambridge Device Development Center will be instrumental in supporting its Purpose: pioneering access for patients.

About Sandoz
Sandoz is the global leader in generic and biosimilar medicines, with a growth strategy driven by its Purpose: pioneering access for patients. 20,000 people of more than 100 nationalities work together to bring Sandoz medicines to some 800 million patients annually worldwide, generating substantial global healthcare savings and an even larger total social impact. Its leading portfolio of 1,500 products addresses diseases from the common cold to cancer. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Sandoz traces its heritage back to the year 1886. Its history of breakthroughs includes Calcium Sandoz in 1929, the world’s first oral penicillin in 1951, and the first biosimilar in 2006. In 2023, Sandoz achieved sales of USD 9.6 billion and core EBITDA of USD 1.9 billion.