New site for pharmaceutical production in Lobeda

EVER Pharma Jena opens new laboratory and production facilities

EVER Pharma Jena GmbH produces and assembles ampoule preparations, injection vials and pre-filled syringes on the JenA4 industrial estate in Lobeda-West. The company celebrated the official opening of the new production facilities on 29.09.2023. By the end of 2025, the pharmaceutical production facility plans to have completely relocated from its previous site in Otto-Schott-Straße to Brüsseler Straße. The company has been active in Jena since 2011 and has since invested more than 250 million euros locally and created over 300 new state-of-the-art jobs.

Plant Manager Dr. Manuela Pfeifer is proud of the innovative expansion process that EVER Pharma has been implementing since 2012:

"We have relocated our production from the original company headquarters in Jena-Süd to Lobeda in several construction phases. With our new facilities specifically for sterile production, we have made a technological leap forward."

The regulations for pharmaceuticals are very strict - the company has to go through a new approval process for each individual product as a result of the move, which can take several years in some cases. The core products are "anything that can be injected", says Pfeifer. The company manufactures neurological drugs, for example for stroke treatment, and intensive care drugs for hospitals, such as anesthetics, in three-shift operation. EVER Pharma focuses on special preparations that are technologically demanding to manufacture. With the latest technical standards, all global quality requirements are met and additional new markets can be opened up, says plant manager Pfeifer. In addition, the modern workstations offer employees every opportunity to implement operational processes and procedures in the best possible way.

With the site in Lobeda, the company, whose EVER Pharma headquarters are located in Unterach, Austria, wants to become more independent of the supply chains in Asia, reported Dr. Hillebrand, principal owner of the EVER Pharma Group:

"We need reliable medical production in Germany or Europe and long-term planning security. This is the only way we can remain true to our vision of supporting patients worldwide with the best possible medical care."

The Mayor of Jena, Dr. Thomas Nitzsche, also emphasized the importance of EVER Pharma for Jena. He expressed his thanks for the trust and the extensive investments in the site and especially for the fast decision-making processes between Jena and Austria.

The Lord Mayor also pledged to work "shoulder to shoulder" with the local economy on the biggest current challenges - energy and skilled workers. EVER Pharma is urgently looking for workers, particularly in the operational area. The company currently employs a total of 412 people - including 13 trainees.

In order to attract new skilled workers and keep those who are already here in Jena, the company needs the support of politicians and the local community, Dr. Pfeifer summarized. In addition to sufficient affordable housing, this also includes a comprehensive public transport service and a focus on training and career guidance. JenaWirtschaft Managing Director Wilfried Röpke emphasized on site how comprehensively the Jena Economic Development Agency deals with these topics:

"From work placements to lateral entry, from skilled trades to high-tech, from in-house potential to the Skilled Immigration Act: we support Jena companies with all their questions and concerns."

JenaWirtschaft has provided comprehensive support to EVER Pharma since the first expansion request in 2011.

The background

Company EVER Pharma Jena

The roots of EVER Pharma go back to the 1930s. Over many decades, the company has built up extensive know-how and expertise in the development, production and marketing of parenteral drugs. EVER Pharma has over 1,000 employees worldwide and markets its products in around 80 countries around the world through its own international subsidiaries and strategic partners. In 2023, EVER Pharma will generate over €300 million in sales. EVER Pharma has been active in Jena since 2011 and has invested over €250 million in a state-of-the-art production facility for the manufacture and testing of parenteral drugs at the Brüsseler Straße site in Jena.

Milestones in the company's development