Swiss pharma company Novartis has inaugurated a new viral vector production facility in Mengeš north of Ljubljana, its first of this kind in Europe, in an investment valued at €40 million.

The facility, VIFA One, brings new technology in support of production of breakthrough cell and gene therapies to Slovenia.

Being automated and robotic, it enables precise and efficient production of viral vectors for cell and gene therapies to treat certain autoimmune and genetic diseases, as well as cancers.

"The location represents the largest centre for innovative biotechnology in Slovenia, working closely with academic and research institutions," Petra Štefanič Anderluh, CEO of Novartis's Slovenian subsidiary, said at the opening ceremony on 5 February.

She gave credit to the environment that supports innovation, the 3,900 Novartis employees in Slovenia as of the end of last year, and the support of the parent company. She also noted the importance of the support of the municipalities of Domžale and Mengeš in listening to the company's needs.

Igor Papič, minister of higher education, science and innovation, lauded Novartis as a leading foreign direct investor in the country and its investments' contribution to development of science, and accelerating the transfer of expertise and innovation.

Its locations in Ljubljana and Mengeš support more than half of Novartis's strategically most important innovative medicines in various stages of development, manufacturing and services, said Steffen Lang, member of the Novartis executive committee and president of operations.

Since entering the market, Novartis has invested around €3.5 billion in Slovenia, investments primarily focused on research and development, scale-up of production capacity and sustainable environmental technologies. New investments are underway at the locations in Ljubljana and Mengeš to support further growth.