Vojmir Urlep receives the Minařik Award for his outstanding contributions to the development of the pharmaceutical profession

The Slovenian Pharmaceutical Society reasoned its decision to bestow this highest award in the pharmaceutical profession to Vojmir Urlep saying: »Vojmir Urlep has, together with his colleagues, strived and succeeded to place Slovenia on the map of countries where development and manufacturing activities for not only generic but also novel innovative drug products and drug substances are carried out. In the period from 2007, when Lek has been headed by Vojmir Urlep, the company has doubled the number of development projects and has become a leading Sandoz development center for technologically demanding projects.« Under Urlep’s leadership, Lek has established itself as one of the most successful parts of the global corporation Novartis, strengthened cooperation with scientific-research institutions and projects such as the Regional BioCamp and opened the door to new knowledge and innovative thinking for the future, they added. 

Throughout his career, Vojmir Urlep has been demonstrating that the professional knowledge of Slovenian pharmacists can be recognised at the global level even in the most demanding environment. This is one of the reasons, why Lek is today recognised and valued as one of the most successful companies within the Novartis group. »Throughout my career, I have been constantly striving for a broader integration of the Slovenian pharmaceutical profession and its members regardless of which branch of professional expertise they exercise. I trust the knowledge that Slovenian experts possess and believe together we can achieve a great deal. I believe that through cooperation, perseverance and courage we can accomplish many achievements and conquer even the toughest challenges,« said Vojmir Urlep. 

Vojmir Urlep is performing the function of the President of the Board of Management of Lek, a Sandoz company, since August 2007. He is also the President of the Supervisory Board of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, a member of the Executive Board of The Managers’ Association of Slovenia, a member of the organizing committee for the preparation of the annual congress of pharmacists at the Slovenian Pharmaceutical Society, a member of the Strategic Council for Internationalization and the President of the strategic group of foreign-owned companies at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia. In December 2016, he received a plaque »Pro universitate labacensi« for his important contribution to enhance the reputation of the Ljubljana University in the international arena. 

The awards were presented as part of a Symposium accompanying a 42nd assembly of the Slovenian Pharmaceutical Society. At the three-day event, more than 430 participants, mostly from the field of pharmacy, will have the opportunity to take part in more than twenty different lectures, symposia and round tables addressing various pharmaceutical topics of current interest.