Olpha to Expand Export of Drug Development and Research Services

JSC Olpha, the leading pharmaceutical manufacturer in the Baltics, continues to strengthen its research and innovation capabilities by establishing a new group company, Olpha Labs Ltd. The company’s objective will be to develop and expand the export of pharmaceutical research and drug development services to international markets.

“Pharmaceuticals is one of Latvia’s highest value-added industries. Until now, we have focused primarily on manufacturing our own medicines, but the export of pharmaceutical research and development services also represents a direction with significant growth potential. By establishing Olpha Labs, we are taking the next step towards developing internationally competitive research and drug development services in Latvia,” says Dr. Chem. Juris Hmeļņickis, Chairman of the Management Board of JSC Olpha and Olpha Labs Ltd.

The new company will continue the operations of the existing AS Olpha Scientific Research Centre, focusing on the development of new products, the advancement of scientific expertise, and collaboration with international partners. Olpha Labs Ltd. will enable the consolidation of research competencies within a single structure, more efficient management of innovation projects, and the expansion of cooperation with foreign partners. At the same time, the company believes this model will strengthen Latvia’s position in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors while creating additional demand for highly qualified specialists.

“We are seeing increasing international demand for high-quality research and development services that we are well positioned to provide. The establishment of Olpha Labs will allow us to further strengthen our scientific expertise, accelerate the development of new products, and participate more actively in international collaboration projects. In doing so, we continue to reinforce Latvia’s position as a modern, knowledge-based economy whose competitiveness is built on innovation, high added value, and international cooperation,” says Ēriks Ivanovskis, former Director of the AS Olpha Scientific Research Centre, who will continue his work as a member of the Olpha Labs management team.

The Chairman of the Management Board of Olpha Labs Ltd. will be Dr. Chem. Juris Hmeļņickis, Chairman of the Management Board of AS Olpha. The new company will employ 50 people.

Following the change in majority shareholders, AS Olpha has been actively working on expanding its product portfolio in the generic medicines segment, as well as strengthening its presence in Western markets. To date, eight new medicines from the company’s new product portfolio have been launched in the European Union (EU), and by the end of the year their number will exceed 20. These products cover therapeutic areas including cardiology, pulmonology, neurology and psychiatry, endocrinology, oncology, and others. The new products are currently available in the Baltic States, the Czech Republic, Italy, Slovakia, Poland, and France.

About Olpha

AS Olpha is one of the largest manufacturing companies in the Baltic States, with 50 years of experience in the production of medicines and other pharmaceutical products. The company’s portfolio includes key therapeutic areas such as neurology, cardiology, antibacterial therapy, oncology, urology, as well as medicines for allergy and diabetes treatment.

AS Olpha is pursuing international growth and maintains a presence in multiple global markets, with a strategic focus on Europe, where it is represented through subsidiaries in France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Poland, and other countries. The company is part of the group of companies owned by AB City AS.