Gedeon Richter Media Molecular Biology Laboratory inaugurated in the Hungarian city of Debrecen
Molecular Biology Laboratory inaugurated in the Hungarian city of Debrecen
29/03/2018
Lajos Kósa, Hungary’s Minister without Portfolio, responsible for the development of Cities of County Rank, Dr László Papp, Mayor of Debrecen, Erik Bogsch, Gedeon Richter Plc’s Chairman and Gábor Orbán, Gedeon Richter Plc’s CEO inaugurated Richter’s new Molecular Biology Laboratory at a ceremony held in the Hungarian city of Debrecen. The facility was built with a total budget of HUF 4.89 billion as part of a joint consortium tender entitled “Innovative pharmaceutical research and development project to improve competitiveness in the market”. The total investment cost of the laboratory infrastructure and technological equipment (as a part of the project) was close to HUF 1.7 billion, of which HUF 713 million was funded by the awarded aid.

As part of the research funded by the tender, Gedeon Richter Plc plans to develop technologies in its laboratory in Debrecen that make a significant contribution to understanding the mechanism of action of protein drugs produced by using a biotechnological procedure and the side effects that may arise in connection with their use. As the price of biosimilar therapeutic proteins to be developed in this lab is expected to be lower compared to original drugs, they may become affordable for more people in the target group – primarily European patients suffering from tumours or autoimmune diseases.

"Richter's strategic goal is to create a complex and competitive biotechnological product line which will help to expand its product portfolio with products offering high intellectual added value," Gedeon Richter's CEO Gábor Orbán said in his opening address.

"By opening the new Molecular Biology Laboratory we have taken another step toward making biotechnological manufacturing in Hungary more competitive at an international level, also enhancing the competitiveness of the entire country," Erik Bogsch, Gedeon Richter Plc's Chairman pointed out when talking about the significance of the investment.

The success of the project was due especially to the excellent cooperation that has been established in recent years between the Municipality of Debrecen, the University of Debrecen and Gedeon Richter Plc. Similar to the building of Richter's biotechnology plant in Debrecen, which was opened in 2012, the support provided for this project was again exemplary.

"In 2012, the government provided HUF 1.4 billion in aid for building Gedeon Richter's plant in Debrecen. We are proud to see that these funds have been utilised efficiently and that this new development project will again benefit both the town's and the country's economic growth," Lajos Kósa, Hungary's Minister without Portfolio, responsible for the development of Cities of County Rank emphasised at the ceremony.

Mayor of Debrecen Dr László Papp also delivered a speech at the event, stressing that: "Debrecen is committed to industries with high added value. It is a great honour for our city that Gedeon Richter Plc decided to develop its biotechnology plant in Debrecen. This new project increases both the competitiveness of the company and the economic attractiveness of Debrecen."

High level R&D activity is key for the long-term competitiveness of Gedeon Richter Plc. The Company is constantly seeking close cooperation with Hungarian universities and research centres in order to retain their highly qualified experts as well as to ensure additional innovative and affordable therapies for the people.

 

Further information:

Zsuzsa Beke, Head of Public Relations and Public Affairs, Gedeon Richter Plc

Phone: 36 1 431 4888

Email: zs.beke@richter.hu