2018 was marked by the production of innovative drug substances, development of medicines for demanding markets, and top achievements of Lek associates

Last year, Lek continued to optimize and transform its production network across Slovenia to successfully live up to the Novartis strategy focusing on small volume specialized and personalized innovative medicines, high-added value medicines, biologics and digital therapies.

Highlights and milestones of Lek's operation in 2018:

• In 2018, the Development Center Slovenia completed the development and filed 20 drug product dossiers in the markets of USA, Russia, Europe, Canada, Thailand, and China; as well as 1 active ingredient dossier in the USA and another in Canada. They also completed the development of high-quality innovative dietary supplement, Lincomplex^TM , which is already available in Slovenia. 
• They launched important anti-inflammatory, cholesterol-regulating, prostate, erectile-dysfunction, and antifungal medicines. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted the exclusive “first-to-file” status for amantadine, including the six months generic exclusive position on the US-market.
• Lek is further developing its expertise for manufacturing drug substances for innovative products in Slovenia. Last year, three innovative drug substances to be launched in the coming years were produced in Mengeš. In addition, final stages of production of innovative medicines are taking place at their sites in Slovenia.
• Mengeš associates participated in the development of three new Sandoz biosimilars that were launched in 2018. They are also involved in different development stages of innovative biologicals. The construction of the new production plant for biologics, which is additionally going to strengthen the role of the Mengeš site as Novartis key biotechnology center, is continuing; the investment is worth EUR 38 million.
• Since 2003, Novartis invested more than EUR 2.3 billion with more than half allocated to development investments, while the remaining funds were allocated to upgrade and broaden Lek's production capacities. 
• In 2018, Lek hired 370 full-time employees. At the end of 2018, Lek had 4,085 full-time employees, 495 of which hold either a master’s or a doctoral degree. Over the last seven years, the company has created more than 2,100 jobs. Last year, they continued to pursue innovative HR practices, such as Regional BioCamp and Novartis Career Breakfast.
• The company and its employees received a variety of distinguished awards and prizes for their work. Researchers from the Development Center Slovenia, Zdenko Časar, PhD, and Jerneja Opara, PhD, received the highest Novartis Scientific Award (R&D Award) recognizing their exceptional achievements in research and development.
• The Prevalje site started manufacturing new dispersible Amoxiclav tablets to allow user-friendly administration for the pediatric population. 
• With a growing market share, reaching 30.1% in 2018, Lek has consolidated its position as the second largest provider of generic medicines in Slovenia and strengthened the market leader position in OTC products. By organizing many different expert meetings in Slovenia, attended by more than 2,500 healthcare professionals, Lek continues to contribute to improving the health of patients.
• Lek continues to prevent and reduce environmental pollution. The company has certified the environmental management system in accordance with the requirements of the ISO 14001:2015 standard with the EU Regulation 1221/2009 (EMAS) and the Occupational Health and Safety System according to BS OHSAS 18001: 2007 standard. 
• 650 associates from across Novartis sites (Ljubljana, Mengeš, Lendava, and Prevalje) joined to help in more than 25 volunteer activities. Over the last 14 years of volunteering, Novartis associates in Slovenia have dedicated more than 41,200 working hours to helping the local community.