Building a big player for biopharmaceutical manufacturing in Slovenia

The construction of a new high-tech drug substances production center for biosimilars in Lendava builds on Lek’s strong local foundations and further strengthens the development potential of the Pomurje region. When you ask Athos Bonanomi, Site Head Biopharmaceuticals, what makes this project unique, his answer is clear: “You rarely get the chance to build an entire biopharmaceutical campus from the ground up. For many of us, this is a once-in-a-career opportunity.”

A Swiss professional with more than 25 years of experience in technical operations, quality, supply and site leadership across Europe, Athos joined Sandoz in March to lead this ambitious project, coordinating construction, technology integration and the formation of a new multidisciplinary team.

“I’ve always been drawn to projects where something new is created, where you can see an idea turning into reality,” he explains. “That’s exactly what makes Lendava special. We’re not just building a facility; we’re shaping how Sandoz will develop and produce biosimilars in the years ahead.”

Creating a new hub for biosimilars in Europe

The construction is progressing according to plan. “By the end of 2025, the utilities building will be fully operational, providing electricity, steam and cooling for the entire facility. The manufacturing building will be under roof by winter, and full validation and regulatory approval are expected by 2028,” he explains.

The scale itself is remarkable: a 130,000-cubic-meter manufacturing building with a 5,000-square-meter footprint, more than 220 vessels, 100 kilometers of piping, and 300 kilometers of cabling. “That’s enough to stretch a zip line from Lendava to Koper,” Athos jokes.

The facility will combine advanced engineering with the biology of cell cultures used to produce biosimilars. “Growing a few cells in a lab is one thing; growing them in a large scale bioreactor is completely different,” Athos explains.

And automation will also play a key role. “Each process will be monitored in real time, he says. “Thousands of parameters are tracked simultaneously – no human could follow all of them manually. This digital infrastructure will also enable future use of AI for predictive maintenance, data analysis and process optimization, making Lendava one of the most modern biopharmaceutical production sites in Europe. Automated control ensures stable quality and helps reduce costs. By lowering the cost of treatment, biosimilars can make essential therapies more accessible to a wider range of patients, reducing the cost of healthcare for every one of us. That is how Sandoz contributes to expanding access to medicines for patients, and also give employees a strong sense of purpose towards this mission.

Building a site starts with building a team

While the technology is impressive, Athos emphasizes that “people are the heart of the project.” More than 300 highly skilled associates will work at the Lendava site – manufacturing operators, technicians, scientists, laboratory analysts, engineers, data analysts, raw material planners, and supply chain, warehouse and logistics operators, as well as all professions related to health, safety, security, and quality testing and compliance.

“It’s not a classical pharmaceutical plant where operations pharmacists dominate,” he adds “Here, engineers play a central role together with knowledgeable scientists and skilled laboratory testing analysts.”

Recruitment is progressing steadily, with the number of employees doubling each year. “For some positions we’re looking for experienced experts,” Athos explains, “but for others we offer extensive in-house training. Our training center at the Lendava campus prepares newcomers over three to six months for entry level positions, with opportunities for further learning in the future.”

Athos believes leadership is about example and connection. “I’m learning Slovenian and getting to know the local culture. It’s important that our international associates integrate into the community and that local employees help them feel at home. Building bridges between people is how we create one team.”

Because most of the team members are new, communication and openness are essential. “I encourage everyone to ask questions and speak up. There’s no progress without dialogue,” he says.

Strengthening the local economy and community

The new site will also have a strong impact on the local community. “When hundreds of employees and their families move here, they bring growth opportunities for local businesses, schools and services. It’s not only an investment in Sandoz, it’s an investment in Lendava and the region,” says Athos.

He adds that collaboration with municipalities and local partners will be essential to developing the housing, hospitality, transportation and leisure infrastructure required to support this growth.

Continuing our journey toward a stronger biosimilars presence in Europe

The future of biosimilars, Athos believes, is bright. Today’s cell cultures produce ten times more than those from twenty years ago. With automation, AI and improved biological systems, productivity will continue to rise. This field is still in its early growth phase.

As he looks ahead, Athos remains focused on people. “Our team has achieved tremendous progress in a short time. It hasn’t been easy, but we’ve proven what we can do. Now we have to keep going – and finish what we started together.”