Daiichi Sankyo's investments in cancer drugs in Bavaria are taking shape: the symbolic groundbreaking ceremony that has now taken place to mark the start of construction of the production building in Pfaffenhofen in the presence of Prime Minister Dr. Markus Söder marks a milestone: Daiichi Sankyo plans to invest around 1 billion Euros over the next few years in transforming its location north of Munich into an innovation and production center.
From Bavaria to the world: With the construction, Daiichi Sankyo is transferring its technology for the development and production of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) to Germany. ADCs are monoclonal antibodies that are combined with a cytotoxic agent (the pharmaceutically active ingredient) to target people with certain types of cancer.
Bavaria's Minister President Dr. Markus Söder has marked the start of construction of a building at the production and development site of the Japanese pharmaceutical company Daiichi Sankyo in Pfaffenhofen (Ilm), where these cancer drugs will be manufactured in the future, by symbolically turning the first sod.
At one of Daiichi Sankyo's largest global production and development sites, the company is thus significantly expanding its global capacity for the production of cancer drugs. The Pfaffenhofen plant makes an important contribution to Daiichi Sankyo's vision of becoming an innovative global healthcare company that contributes to the sustainable development of society. In addition to new oncology therapies, the Pfaffenhofen site continues to produce cardiovascular drugs for Germany and the international market.
At the beginning of this year, Daiichi Sankyo announced plans to invest around 1 billion euros in the transformation of its site into an innovation and production center over the next few years. The construction of the new building is therefore an important milestone in this plan. The investments in new buildings and facilities for cancer drugs are also an important reaffirmation of Daiichi Sankyo's commitment to Germany and Bavaria in particular as one of the pharmaceutical company's preferred locations.
“This is a strong signal for Bavaria as a pharmaceutical location in economically difficult times,” said Minister President Dr. Markus Söder in his speech. “Research and technology are the only answers to future challenges. In diseases such as cancer, innovative new treatment methods can prolong lives and improve quality of life. This is what we are supporting as the Free State of Bavaria: with our Hightech and Highmed Agenda, we are investing almost six billion euros in future technologies, of which around 500 million euros are in biotech. We are connecting universities and companies to create an innovative ecosystem with completely new opportunities.”
Daiichi Sankyo Europe currently employs more than 800 experts at the Pfaffenhofen site and plans to hire up to 350 more employees by 2030 for current and planned expansions.