Olpha Marks Major Construction Milestone for New Manufacturing Facility

Latvian pharmaceutical company Olpha has celebrated the topping-out of its new finished dosage form manufacturing facility, marking a major milestone in the company’s expansion. A commemorative time capsule was also embedded in the foundations of the new building. Olpha is investing EUR 5.84 million in the project, which will significantly increase its manufacturing capacity, support the production of new medicines and further modernise its operations.

Once operational, the new facility and its advanced technologies will enable Olpha to increase its finished dosage form manufacturing capacity by up to 2.5 times. The investment will also improve operational efficiency and further strengthen compliance with international pharmaceutical quality standards. Production of three new medicines is expected to begin at the facility upon its commissioning. Additional medicines from Olpha’s expanding product portfolio will be introduced over the following years.

“Every investment in manufacturing is also an investment in Latvia’s ability to develop high-value-added products and compete in the European pharmaceutical market. Europe increasingly recognises the importance of secure and reliable pharmaceutical manufacturing within the region, and Latvia is well positioned to contribute. The expanded facility will allow us to bring more new medicines into production, increase productivity and strengthen Latvia’s position within Europe’s pharmaceutical industry. A competitive manufacturing sector is one of the foundations of a strong national economy. By continuing to invest in Latvia, we are also contributing to a more resilient supply of medicines across the European Union,” said Dr. chem. Juris Hmeļņickis, Chairman of the Management Board of AS Olpha.

The project will introduce a range of digitalisation and automation solutions to streamline manufacturing processes. In certain operations, for example, equipment cleaning times are expected to be reduced by up to 50%. The new facility will also support enhanced compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements—an important prerequisite for Olpha’s continued expansion in European markets.

“The project is being implemented with support from ALTUM, Latvia’s state-owned development finance institution. Of the total investment, EUR 3 million will be allocated to design and construction, while EUR 2.84 million will be invested in new production lines and equipment. ALTUM is providing EUR 1.75 million in financing. Olpha’s investment project will strengthen the company’s capacity to develop and manufacture new products, expand its portfolio and enter new export markets,” Through the Large Investment Loan Programme, ALTUM provides financing for projects that increase productivity, facilitate innovation and advance higher-value-added manufacturing in Latvia. Agreements have already been signed for more than 25 large-scale investment projects across a range of industries,” said Inese Zīle, Member of the Management Board of ALTUM.

The expansion of Olpha’s manufacturing infrastructure forms part of the company’s long-term growth strategy. Since the change in its majority ownership, Olpha has significantly expanded its portfolio of generic medicines and strengthened its presence in Western European markets.The company has launched eight new medicines to date and expects the total to exceed 20 by the end of 2026. The portfolio covers multiple therapeutic areas, including cardiology, pulmonology, neurology and psychiatry, endocrinology and oncology.

Olpha’s new medicines are already available in the Baltic States, the Czech Republic, Italy, Slovakia, Poland and France. The development, registration and preparation for commercial launch of a new generic medicine typically takes between 2.5 and six years.

About Olpha

Olpha is one of the largest manufacturing companies in the Baltic States, with 50 years of experience in the development and manufacture of medicines and other pharmaceutical products.The company’s portfolio spans several key therapeutic areas, including neurology, cardiology, anti-infectives, oncology and urology, as well as treatments for allergies and diabetes.

Olpha operates internationally, with a strategic focus on Europe. The company is represented by subsidiaries in France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Poland and other markets. AS Olpha is part of the group of companies owned by AS AB City.