Novo Nordisk breaks ground on new plant in Russia

Novo Nordisk broke ground today on a new USD 100 million plant in Russia that will formulate and fill modern insulin into Novo Nordisk’s Penfill® cartridges and pack the FlexPen® prefilled insulin delivery device for the Russian market.

Upon the completion of the construction, the new plant will meet the demand for modern insulin for over 200,000 Russian patients. Located in Grabtsevo Technopark in the Kaluga region, the plant is expected to start manufacturing in 2014. It is designed in line with European and Russian GMP standards and environment, safety and energy efficiency requirements, and will create more than 160 jobs.

The company’s intention to establish insulin production in Russia was first announced in April 2010 during the visit to Denmark by Dmitry Medvedev, President of Russia. At that time, agreement of cooperation between the Government of the Kaluga Region and Novo Nordisk was signed.

Fast-track identification and preparation of a site for the construction became possible thanks to effective efforts of the Kaluga Region government.

Novo Nordisk has joined the Kaluga Pharmaceutical Cluster Partnership that consolidates the efforts towards building a high-tech complex of manufacturing and infrastructure facilities. As part of this initiative, Novo Nordisk participates actively in developing key regional programmes such as a centre for professional training for the pharmaceutical industry.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Anatoly Artamonov, governor of the Kaluga Region, Tom Risdahl Jensen, Denmark’s ambassador to Russia, and Lars Rebien Sørensen, president and CEO of Novo Nordisk.