History

2023

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Antibiotice have joined forces to develop local medicine production. The 25 million euro loan agreement supports the financing of state-of-the-art production, packaging and storage capacity, thus facilitating the development of new production lines, digitalization, as well as research and development capabilities. The EIB loan represents a quarter of the total investment cost of 95.4 million euros.

Antibiotice obtains a new non-reimbursable financing for the investment in a renewable electricity production capacity, obtained from PNRR funds.

Antibiotice get the agreement to finance the project “Production capacity, packaging and storage of sterile, solutions and topicals products”. The total value of the project is 200,101,617 lei, of which the state aid is worth 85,002,772 million lei, the rest being provided from own resources.

Antibiotice, the most important Romanian pharmaceutical producer, becomes a member of the Sustainable Romania Coalition, the first platform for sustainable development established by the Sustainability Embassy in Romania, a private initiative, apolitical, officially recognized as partner and facilitator of dialogue on sustainability issues of the Department for Sustainable Development of the Romanian Government.

2022

In the context of the war crisis in Ukraine, Antibiotice manufactures for the entire population of Romania, in record time, tablets with potassium iodide of 65 mg necessary in the event of a nuclear attack and provide support to the Ukrainian population, consisting of medicines of strict necessity.

Antibiotice inaugurates the most modern solid and semi-solid topical pharmaceuticals factory in Europe – a total investment of 20 million euros – and obtains the Good Manufacturing Practice certification for the new site from the National Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices of Romania.

Antibiotice, one of the first Romanian joint stock companies present on the capital market, celebrates 25 years since its listing on the Bucharest Stock Exchange. Transparency of investor communication and the quality of financial reporting were rewarded with the first prize from the investor public and the 10th grade in the VEKTOR ranking for the 3rd consecutive year, ranking compiled by the Romanian Investor Relations Association.

2021

Antibiotice establishes a vaccination centre within its Research and Development Centre, which facilitates pandemic vaccination for community members. It also organizes for 6 weeks Caravana a+, through which it provides access to immunization against COVID-19 for hundreds of people in rural areas.

Responsibility towards the community and employees was rewarded at the Romanian CSR Awards 2021 Gala by awarding two awards for “We stand in solidarity with the health system” and “We take care of the health of our loved ones”.

The company is consolidating its exports of injectable anti-infectives in Europe following the winning of a 11 million euro auction organised by the health authorities of the UK and Wales.

“Looking back over time, we appreciate that we already have a great ability to develop a molecule up to the drug we bring to the market. In difficult times we mobilized with maximum efficiency, professionally empathizing with the market and the struggle to restore the health of hard-to-try people. We were in solidarity with our fellows, with the Romanian medical system and, last but not least, with our patients and partners”, said Ioan Nani, CEO Antibiotice & vice-president of the Board of Directors.

2020

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, Antibiotice supports the Romanian healthcare system by reintroducing two products (Paracetamol and Novocalmin) for COVID-19 treatment and provides hospitals with injectable antibiotics for the associative treatment of complicated infections caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2.

The company is winning the tender organised by the European Commission for one of the most widely used antibiotics in COVID-19 treatment: AmoxiPlus® and is entering the US and UK markets with new COVID-19-associated medicines.

1955-1959

In December 1955 the Chemical Plant no. 2 was established in Iaşi, being Romania’s and south-east Europe’s first manufacturer of penicillin – the active ingredient discovered by Alexander Fleming. The actual construction took place between 1953 and 1955. Four years later, the Streptomycin Plant was commissioned and the first pharmaceutical finished forms were obtained, namely ointments and suppositories. Afterwards, the Chemical Plant no.2 changes its name to Antibiotice (the Antibiotics Plant).

1960-1977

New technological flows are developed that manufacture various active ingredients (erythromycin, oxytetracycline, tetracycline, griseofulvin, synerdol, lysine). Throughout this period Antibiotice becomes the single manufacturer of sterile products for parenteral use (injectables) in Romania. In 1977 the Streptomycin manufacture obtained the authorization granted by the US regulatory body, the Food and Drug Administration which opened the way to the international markets.

1977-1989

In the 80’s Antibiotice already exported 50% of its output. The active ingredients manufactured in Iasi became the basis for a wide range of medicines manufactured by local and foreign producers worldwide. In the same period 44 patents were registered in the pharmaceutical industry and 600 technological innovations were applied in the manufacturing process.

1993-1997

Over this time interval we have made major investments amounting to over eight million euro in order to revamp our manufacturing facilities and purchase modern and competitive equipment.
Antibiotice climbs into in the top five world producers of penicillin and penicillin derivatives.
Furthermore, our company produces tablets for the first time, and Ampicillin and Oxacillin are the first capsule obtained on the penicillin manufacturing line.

1990

Antibiotice becomes a joint stock company and takes over the assets of the former company Antibiotice Iasi (according to Government Decision 1200 of November 12th, 1990).
As a result of changes at the macroeconomic level, Antibiotice reorients its production. In the company’s portfolio, finished products become the most important and active ingredients manufactured in this period are being used to develop new formulations. In a short time, over 30 pharmaceutical products are put into production which places the company among the top producers of anti-infectives in Romania.

1997

Antibiotice shares (ATB shares) have been listed on the first category of the Bucharest Stock Exchange.
The company implemented an efficient quality assurance system that involves a strict control of the manufacturing processes.

1999

Antibiotice becomes the first Romanian producer to obtain the GMP certification for the line manufacturing powders for injection.

2000-2004

Constant investments in research, in staff training, in quality and in revamping the manufacturing flows and the working spaces have turned Antibiotice into a profitable, dynamic company with a steady economic growth.

The Nystatin production line was granted the FDA authorization, which allowed the successful exportation of our active ingredient to the United States. As a result, Nystatin became the most important product exported, securing Antibiotice’s position as a top worldwide producer of Nystatin.

2005: a breakthrough year

Antibiotice reported an important boost of both profit and turnover – the fruit of constant investments and the management policy of the past five years, and implemented a system of management by objectives, intended to increase the company’s performance on all levels.
In the same year, when Antibiotice celebrated half a century, a new brand identity was launched (new logo and a new corporate slogan) in order to communicate visually to the wide public the rebranding of process of the company and the structural changes it underwent in recent years.

“Moreover, 2005 remains an important year in the life of our company, not only because we obtained the Certificate of Suitability for Nystatin active substance, but because we started operating on 3 new manufacturing lines for the Capsule Plant and began an important investment in the research infrastructure of our company, namely a modern Center for Drug Evaluation.”(Annual Report 2005, excerpt from the CEO’s Message, Mr. Ioan Nani)

2006
A year later, following an investment of one million euros, Antibiotice inaugurated the Center for Drug Evaluation, a clinical unit for research in which we conduct clinical trials with no therapeutic benefits (Phase I clinical trials and bioequivalence studies). The Center for Drug Evaluation is GLP certified and authorized by the Romanian Ministry of Health.

2007: the year we gained several pluses

In 2007, Antibiotice gains recognition for the implementation of the Integrated Management System (quality, environment, occupational health and safety) according to the requirements of EN ISO 9001: 2008, EN ISO 14001: 2004 and OHSAS 18001: 2007, being the first Romanian pharmaceutical company to report this performance.
Also, “following the trend of the pharmaceutical market, Antibiotice continued to diversify its portfolio, addressing the cardiovascular and dermatology classes; furthermore, we started research on generic antidiabetics and central nervous system drugs. These steps are part of a strategy to reconfirm the company’s position as a complex drug manufacturer that produces much more than antibiotics”.(Annual Report 2007, excerpt from the CEO’s Message).

2009 – Antibiotice’s oriented towards international growth

Antibiotice continued to reach higher economic and financial targets which secured its position as the 4th largest producer of generic drugs in Romania, while the global economic crisis persisted. The company’s market strategy was oriented towards the development of Foreign Affairs (we got the FDA authorization for the delivery of injectable drugs in the United States, the number of products exported and international partnerships went up) in response to the need to streamline business and reduce dependence on the domestic market. As a result, the National Association of Exporters and Importers in Romania (ANEIR) acknowledges Antibiotice as the most dynamic export firm in the pharma industry.

At the same time, our orientation towards knowledge and innovation is part of the company’s wider strategy for action, seen as a vital tool to overcome crises in general. “Antibiotice continues to walk towards its true North, i.e. towards knowledge and innovation.(…) In these difficult, troubled times only those organizations that will continue to invest in research, innovation, continuous training of employees and new product development will successfully overcome the crisis. “(Annual Report 2009, excerpt from the CEO’s Message)

2010 – 2011: Following the crisis, Antibiotice will reemerge stronger and ready to meet the challenges of the new reality

Antibiotice obtains the FDA approval for the manufacture of penicillins formulated as powders for injection and delivers the first finished products to the US market, where it used to export Nystatin API only.
Driven by our orientation towards knowledge, the company sets off the project “Summer School a+”, intended for the professional development and training of current staff as well as attracting future professionals in the fields of research, quality control and production.

The company continues to invest in manufacturing technology (enhancing the capacity for producing oral solid forms) and equally in research, by completing the investment in a high-tech Research and Development Center which allows increasing the pace of innovation with respect to the products portfolio.  At the same time, the company puts on the market the first drugs intended for CNS disorders.

“Antibiotice reached the stage where it has the know-how, research capacity, a platform for development and innovation that enable it to connect, at a higher level, with key partners across the globe. (….) In the new post-crisis global context, Antibiotice must reemerge stronger and ready to meet the challenges of the new realities. ” (Annual Report 2010, excerpt from the CEO’s Message).

2012 – 2013: Antibiotice defines strategic directions for the coming years

Antibiotice continues to expand its portfolio, in line with the market trends and joins producers of oncologicals. Moreover, our company becomes the first company in Europe prequalified by the World Health Organization for the range of anti-TB drugs. In order to stimulate innovation, our company launches the initiative “Ideas are free of charge” with the aim to collect valuable ideas and solutions from employees across the company, for streamlining work and a creative exploitation of new opportunities.

In parallel, we outlined our strategy for 2012-2016. “We will continue to make efforts to internationalize business, to adapt human resources to the strategic orientation of our company, to reduce costs and take special measures to protect the working capital. I am convinced that (…) this way Antibiotice will reconfirm that it deserves to be on the panel of the most outstanding and reputed brands in the Romanian pharmaceutical industry and a trustworthy company for its numerous partners from all over the world “(Annual Report 2012, excerpt from the CEO’s Message)

2013 – 2014 Antibiotice becomes the world’s leading manufacturer of Nystatin

In line with the development objectives already planned out, Antibiotice invests in two quality control laborato ries, in laboratory techniques and a new warehouse for raw materials and production.

Antibiotice expands its traditional portfolio of anti-infectives assimilating the first carbapenems, it is diversifying its portfolio of dermatologicals and CNS addressed drugs, as well as its range of prophylactic products and those enhancing the quality of life (food supplements and OTC).

As a result of the FDA reapproval for Nystatin and sterile powders for injections (2013) and our strive for an increased competitiveness, Antibiotice goes up from second to first position in the world production of Nystatin API and we record the first export of Nafcillin to the US market. At the same time, Antibiotice expands its presence in foreign markets, opening a branch in the Republic of Moldova and an area office in Serbia.

“Expanding exports in foreign markets and developing new partnerships are both strategic moves, as shown by the positive evolution of turnover in the last five years, which has increased from USD 13 million in 2009 to USD 25.6 million in 2014, which is 97%. (….) After Moldova and Serbia, we are considering opening area offices on several emerging markets in Latin America and Southeast Asia, markets where the medicinal products produced by Antibiotice have a significant potential for growth. “(Annual Report 2014, excerpt from the CEO’s Message)

2015 – Antibiotice gets the USFDA reaproval for the sterile injectable finished products and Nystatin (API).

11th of December  – Antibiotice celebrates 60 years of Romanian continuity and performance

Antibiotice imposes worlwide the quality standard for Nystatin by obtaining
the title of international reference standard for the active substance Nystatin
granted by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP).

Antibiotice participates for the 15^th time  at the world largest pharmaceutical
exhibition, CPhI Worldwide.

2016

• Record delivery of injectable products for the USA (Nafcilina
  of 1g and 2 g and Ampicillin of 500 mg, 1g and 2g)

• Antibiotice opens a sales office in Hanoi, Vietnam.
• Starts the “Perform a +” project that focuses on attracting
  specialized staff and new collaborators in the field of research and development.
  The project is dedicated to young students and residents of the Faculty of Pharmacy
  from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy „Gr. T Popa ”Iași

– Antibiotice obtains the certification “Strongest in Romania” 2016: a company
financially responsible, credible and creditworthy to partners in the country and abroad.

2018

Antibiotice won the third place at the “Romanian CSR Awards 2018”,
in the Intersectoral Partnership category, for the project
“Science and Soul” scholarships.

Antibiotice publishes its first non-financial report 2017.

Antibiotice launches the ”Antibiotics of the Millennium III”,
a social responsibility program which supports the judicious use
of  antibiotics in the human and veterinary medicine.