The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Antibiotice, Romania’s leading pharmaceutical manufacturer, have joined forces to boost drug production in Romania. The €25 million loan agreement will help finance the structure of a production, packaging and storage facility at Antibiotice’s facility in Iasi. Facilitate the progression of new production lines, digitalization, studies and progression capabilities. The EIB loan represents a quarter of the total investment burden of €95. 4 million.
This agreement was made possible thanks to the support of the InvestEU programme, which aims to generate more than €372 billion in additional investments over the period 2021-2027.
This partnership marks a vital milestone for the fitness sector in Romania, as it is the first InvestEU operation approved in Romania, following the Investment Committee’s resolution in October. It reinforces the objectives of the EU Pharmaceutical Strategy and the Commission’s Communication on how to address the shortage of medicines in Romania. the EU, which aims to address medicines shortages and security of source in the EU.
The mission supports the creation of a complex pharmaceutical production capacity in a cohesive region of Romania. By reducing dependence on imports and selling the accessibility of healthcare across the European Union, the initiative strengthens the competitiveness and resilience of the European pharmaceutical industry and underlines the central role of complex production functions in support of the EU’s strategic autonomy in healthcare.
Supporting the company’s research and progression team to create new drugs and production processes will result in the hiring of approximately one hundred full-time workers for studies and production over a four-year period. Antibiotice SA works intensively with universities and study institutes, providing additional support to the labour market for highly qualified people.
EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska said: “This collaboration demonstrates our commitment to fostering innovation, creating jobs, and advancing healthcare solutions in Romania. The EIB’s support empowers Antibiotice SA to expand its research and production capabilities, contributing to the well-being of the European population and increasing R&D in cohesion regions. I am glad to salute this first InvestEU project in Romania.”
European Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni said: “The COVID-19 pandemic underlined the importance of strengthening the capacity of Europe’s medical manufacturing industrial base. I am delighted that InvestEU is playing a crucial role in providing the financing needed for Europe’s healthcare industry to remain competitive and innovative, whilst addressing the needs of patients and those of our health systems. This project in Romania will boost antibiotics production as well as benefitting the local economy and creating high-quality jobs.”
“This partnership with the European Investment Bank consolidates ‘The Future Together 2030’, our business plan and the company’s ability to meet the wants and needs of the European pharmaceutical market. We are investing in research, generation movement and new production sites to generate added prices in the pharmaceutical industry and in the company’s economic and monetary signs until 2030,” said Ioan Nani, CEO of Antibiotice SA.
The partnership between the EIB and Antibiotice SA is a step towards building a self-sufficient and competitive pharmaceutical industry in Romania. By investing in local talent, promoting innovation and accessibility to healthcare, this initiative lays the foundation for a healthier future for Romania and the European Union as a whole.