Orion extends Turku plant to meet growing hormone demand

news-releasesOrion Corporation
October 7th 2014

Espoo, Finland: – Leading European research-based life sciences researcher and CMO Orion Corporation has announced completion of a strategically important extension to its manufacturing facilities at Turku on Finland’s southwest coast.

The new extension will allow Orion to increase output of its best-selling hormonal semi-solids, gels and solutions being produced at Turku to very high quality standards.

Orion’s Turku factory extension project, which was started at the end of 2012, has been completed. The new four-storey production building provides 6,000 square meter of new production space. Started in late 2012, the new plant was brought into operation in July 2014 on schedule, with connection to the existing hormone gel production facilities. The extension plant will finally reach full capacity during winter 2014/15 as a new filling and packaging lines are brought on stream.

The new facility will produce Orion’s own hormonal semi-solids, as well as contract manufactured products for other pharmaceutical companies. In particular, the extension will help Orion meet growing global demand for its male hormone products.

Significant upgrade

Orion’s Director of Contract Manufacturing, Esa Nauska, said the new facility marked a significant chapter in the company’s 97-year history.

“The extension has increased our production surface area at Turku by 30 per cent. Along with the opening of our packaging and logistics center in Salo, this is one of the largest single upgrades we have ever made to our supply chain,” said Mr. Nauska.

In addition to hormonal solutions and semi-solids, Orion produces tablets, creams and cancer drugs in Turku. The Turku factory at Tengströminkatu has been in operation since 1972 and about 700 Orion staff members work there.

Orion also tests, manufactures and packages hormonal tablets, cytostatic tablets and capsules, small volume parenterals, conventional tablets, creams, ointments and liquids. The company exports to all major markets, including EU, US, Japan, Latin America and Australia.

About Orion Corporation

Orion is a globally operating developer of pharmaceuticals and diagnostic tests. The company has been innovatively building well being since 1917; initially in its native country Finland and now has a direct presence in 21 European countries.

Orion develops, manufactures and markets human and veterinary pharmaceuticals, active pharmaceutical ingredients and diagnostic tests. It is continuously developing new drugs and treatment methods.

Orion and Fermion product and service offerings involve APIs and finished dosage forms as well as a capable marketing and sales network made available for partners’ licensing opportunities. Both Orion and Fermion also offer high value pharmaceutical contract manufacturing services for global markets.

Orion’s is a clear market leader main market in its Finland and also markets its products in more than 100 countries worldwide. The Group’s human pharmaceuticals sales organisation covers almost all key European markets. Several collaboration partners distribute Orion products in overseas markets.

All Orion manufacturing and most of its R&D operations are in Finland, with the group headquarters in Espoo, a short distance west of Helsinki. Orion employs some 3,500 people and in 2013 reported total worldwide sales of EUR 1,007 million. Orion A and B shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki.