To support the pharmaceutical production outlined in its development plans, Olpha, one of the leading pharmaceutical manufacturers in the Baltics, has purchased and installed new manufacturing equipment with a total investment of EUR 4.4 million. Overall, four new production units have been installed as part of the project, significantly increasing manufacturing capacity. This expansion supports the company’s plans to introduce at least 50 additional new generic medicines to markets across Europe, the United Kingdom, and other regions worldwide in the coming years.
This autumn, a new blister packaging and packing line was commissioned, with investments exceeding EUR 2.5 million. In addition, a compactor, machine used for the production of dry granulated dosage forms, was commissioned at a cost of EUR 356,750. A further EUR 800,000 was invested in the acquisition of a new tablet coating pan, while an additional EUR 700,000 was allocated to a new capsule filling machine. State aid covering 30% of the equipment acquisition costs was granted for the total investments under the Large investment loan with capital rebate support programme, implemented in cooperation with the Latvian Investment and Development Agency and ALTUM.
“One of our key priorities is to establish a greener, more efficient, and more sustainable manufacturing process. Moreover, as the situation in the labour market becomes increasingly challenging, the automation of manufacturing and packaging operations is inevitable, enabling us to ensure the required production volumes and efficiency across the entire process. As our ambition is to continue developing and strengthening pharmaceutical manufacturing and the pharmaceutical sector as a whole in Latvia—an industry with high added value for the national economy and strong export potential—we are making targeted investments to achieve these goals,” emphasises Juris Bundulis, Chair of the board of Olpha.
The new tablet coating pan and the new capsule filling machine enable production capacity to be doubled. Whereas previously 42,000 capsules could be produced per hour, the new capsule filling machine increases output to 84,000 capsules per hour.
“Our strategy is built on three core pillars—sustainability, innovation, and strengthening export capacity. By investing in modern manufacturing equipment, green energy, and digitalisation, we are enhancing the competitiveness of Olpha while also making a significant contribution to Latvia’s economy. At the same time, as a domestic pharmaceutical manufacturer, we see an opportunity to reduce Latvia’s dependence on imports by expanding our medicines portfolio. Currently, 95% of medicines in Latvia are imported, which creates high risks for Latvian patients in the event of supply disruptions. This is why the targeted development of Latvia’s pharmaceutical manufacturing sector is essential—a sector that is not developed to a comparable level in either Lithuania or Estonia,” emphasises Juris Bundulis.
It should be noted that, in line with its long-term development strategy, Olpha plans to invest EUR 100 million over a five-year period in the development of its product portfolio, the modernisation of manufacturing equipment, and the expansion of production capacity to support the launch of new products, as well as in the overall development of “green” technological processes. The largest share of investments will be directed toward the development of new generic medicines and the expansion of the company’s product portfolio.
