Company Description
Sandoz Group AG (SDZNY) is described as the global leader in generic and biosimilar medicines, focused on expanding access to affordable treatments across a wide range of diseases. The company is listed on SIX Swiss Exchange under the symbol SDZ and trades in the US on OTCQX as SDZNY. Sandoz reports that more than 20,000 people of around 100 nationalities work together to provide approximately 900 million patient treatments, generating substantial healthcare savings and social impact worldwide. The company is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland and traces its heritage back to 1886.
According to its own disclosures, Sandoz has a portfolio of roughly 1,300 products that address conditions from the common cold to cancer. Within the healthcare sector, it operates in the Drug Manufacturers – Specialty & Generic industry, with two main business pillars: generics and biosimilars. Generics represent a significant share of net sales, while biosimilars are highlighted as a fast‑growing segment and a central part of the company’s strategic roadmap.
Business model and focus areas
Sandoz emphasizes a growth strategy driven by its stated Purpose of "pioneering access for patients." Its business model centers on the development, manufacturing and commercialization of generic medicines and biosimilars, including therapies used in oncology, immunology and other chronic conditions. Company communications describe Sandoz as the global pioneer and leader in biosimilars, with an oncology biosimilar portfolio that includes products such as Rixathon, Zarzio, Ziextenzo and Binocrit, and an industry‑leading biosimilars pipeline of 28 molecules, alongside about 450 generic pipeline medicines.
Generics and biosimilars are reported as separate business lines in company updates, with generics accounting for a majority of net sales and biosimilars contributing a growing share. Sandoz highlights that its ten largest‑selling medicines represent a meaningful portion of net sales, and that biosimilars have been delivering double‑digit growth in recent reporting periods at constant currencies.
Therapeutic areas and key products mentioned
Company news releases reference a range of specific medicines and therapeutic areas, illustrating how Sandoz applies its generics and biosimilars focus:
- Oncology and bone health: Launch of WYOST and Jubbonti, denosumab biosimilars approved as interchangeable with the reference medicines XGEVA and Prolia in the US, for conditions such as osteoporosis, cancer‑related skeletal events, bone metastases from solid tumors, multiple myeloma, giant cell tumor of bone and hypercalcemia of malignancy.
- Immunology and chronic inflammatory diseases: Pyzchiva (ustekinumab) biosimilar for plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease and pediatric plaque psoriasis, including a pre‑filled pen autoinjector launched in Europe.
- Iron deficiency anemia in chronic kidney disease: US launch of a generic iron sucrose injection, indicated for iron deficiency anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease, administered intravenously in settings such as dialysis centers.
- Other biosimilar programs: Development of proposed biosimilars such as nivolumab and ocrelizumab, and a collaboration to commercialize a biosimilar of the oncology therapy ipilimumab, targeting multiple cancer indications.
These examples, drawn from company communications, show Sandoz activity across oncology, immunology, nephrology and other chronic disease areas, with a focus on medicines that can expand patient access and support healthcare system sustainability through lower‑cost alternatives to reference biologics and branded drugs.
Geographic footprint and manufacturing
Sandoz states that Europe is home to the majority of its operations, and that its manufacturing footprint includes multiple sites in Europe and at least one in the US. The company describes an ongoing program of investment in its in‑house biomanufacturing capabilities, particularly in Slovenia, where it is building a fully integrated European biosimilar hub.
In Slovenia, Sandoz has announced a new biosimilars production center for sterile injectable products in Brnik, together with a biosimilar drug‑substance production center in Lendava and a biosimilar development center in Ljubljana. These facilities are intended to support production and development of injectable biosimilars and related products, including preparation, filling, assembly, packaging and quality‑control laboratories.
Beyond Slovenia, Sandoz has also disclosed a non‑binding term sheet to acquire Just‑Evotec Biologics EU SAS in Toulouse, France, which owns a biologics development and manufacturing facility. The company indicates that this site would, if the transaction is completed, be used to develop and manufacture Sandoz biosimilars and would bring an advanced, highly automated continuous manufacturing platform into its network.
Sustainability and energy initiatives
Sandoz communications highlight environmental sustainability as part of how the company operates. One example is a 10‑year virtual power purchase agreement with Elawan Energy for new‑build solar projects in Spain. The company states that this agreement is expected to cover nearly 90% of its electricity demand for European operations and is described as a concrete step in its decarbonization strategy.
Sandoz has also referenced a formal submission of a Commitment Letter to the Science Based Targets initiative, expressing an intent to set science‑based carbon‑emission reduction targets and to submit its plan for validation within a specified timeframe. These actions are presented by the company as part of broader efforts to decarbonize electricity use and operate more sustainably.
Corporate structure and shareholder information
Sandoz Group AG is an independent company with its own Board of Directors and shareholder base. At a recent Annual General Meeting, shareholders approved the Annual and Consolidated Financial Statements, a dividend per registered dividend‑paying share representing a portion of core net income, and amendments to the Articles of Incorporation related to capital structure. Shareholders also endorsed compensation proposals for the Board and Executive Committee and re‑elected all Board members standing for another term.
The company has reported that it maintains a capital band and conditional share capital authorizations to support optimization of its capital structure. It has also changed its registered seat to Basel, Switzerland, as approved by shareholders.
Historical background
Sandoz traces its heritage back to 1886. Company materials highlight several historical milestones, including the introduction of Calcium Sandoz in 1929, the world’s first oral penicillin in 1951, and what it describes as the world’s first biosimilar in 2006. These milestones are cited by the company as part of a long history in pharmaceuticals and generics, as well as early involvement in the biosimilars field.
Financial reporting and segments
In its public financial updates, Sandoz reports net sales split between generics and biosimilars and by region (Europe, International and North America). The company has communicated that Europe accounts for a significant share of net sales, with International and North America contributing the remainder. It also reports metrics such as core EBITDA, core operating income, core net income, net cash flow from operating activities, capital expenditures, management free cash flow, net working capital and net debt.
While specific figures change over time, the structure of reporting—by business line and by region—illustrates how Sandoz views its operations and growth drivers. Company guidance has emphasized expectations of mid single‑digit net‑sales growth at constant currencies and a core EBITDA margin target, while noting that these expectations are subject to risks and uncertainties described in its forward‑looking statements.
Regulatory and legal context
As a global generics and biosimilars company, Sandoz is active in regulatory and legal matters that affect market access. For example, it has referenced favorable moves toward regulatory streamlining of biosimilar development, which have influenced decisions to adjust or minimize certain Phase III clinical trials in its biosimilar pipeline. It has also disclosed filing an antitrust lawsuit in the US related to alleged practices surrounding a reference biologic, reflecting the company’s interest in promoting competition in biologic markets.
Position within the healthcare sector
Within the healthcare sector and the Drug Manufacturers – Specialty & Generic industry, Sandoz presents itself as focused on generic and biosimilar medicines that can broaden access and reduce costs. Its activities span development, manufacturing, partnerships and acquisitions aimed at strengthening in‑house capabilities and expanding its pipeline. Company communications repeatedly describe Sandoz as the global leader in generic and biosimilar medicines and a pioneer in biosimilars, with a strategy built around capturing long‑term opportunities from patent expiries of biologic and other medicines.
FAQs about Sandoz Group AG (SDZNY)
- What does Sandoz Group AG do?
Sandoz Group AG focuses on developing, manufacturing and commercializing generic medicines and biosimilars. Company materials describe it as the global leader in generic and biosimilar medicines, with a portfolio of about 1,300 products that address diseases ranging from the common cold to cancer. - In which industry and sector does Sandoz operate?
Sandoz operates in the healthcare sector, in the Drug Manufacturers – Specialty & Generic industry. Its activities center on generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilar biologic medicines. - Where is Sandoz headquartered?
Sandoz states that it is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland. The company has also indicated that Europe is home to the majority of its operations. - What are Sandoz main business segments?
Sandoz reports two primary business lines: generics and biosimilars. Generics represent a larger share of net sales, while biosimilars are highlighted as a fast‑growing segment and a key driver of the company’s strategic growth plans. - What types of medicines does Sandoz offer?
According to company communications, Sandoz offers generic and biosimilar medicines that cover a broad range of therapeutic areas, including oncology, immunology, chronic kidney disease–related anemia and other chronic conditions. Examples mentioned include denosumab biosimilars (WYOST and Jubbonti), the ustekinumab biosimilar Pyzchiva, a generic iron sucrose injection and various oncology biosimilars. - On which exchanges does Sandoz trade and under which symbols?
Sandoz shares are listed on SIX Swiss Exchange under the symbol SDZ. In the United States, the company’s American depositary receipts trade on the OTCQX market under the symbol SDZNY. - How large is Sandoz product portfolio?
Sandoz reports that its portfolio includes approximately 1,300 products and that it provides around 900 million patient treatments. It also cites an industry‑leading biosimilars pipeline of 28 molecules and about 450 generic pipeline medicines. - What is Sandoz approach to sustainability?
Sandoz communications describe environmental sustainability as integral to its operations. Examples include a 10‑year virtual power purchase agreement with Elawan Energy for solar projects in Spain, intended to cover nearly 90% of its electricity demand for European operations, and a formal commitment letter to the Science Based Targets initiative to set science‑based carbon‑emission reduction targets. - How is Sandoz investing in manufacturing capabilities?
The company has announced significant investments in its in‑house biomanufacturing network, particularly in Slovenia, where it is building a biosimilar drug‑substance production center, a biosimilar development center and a sterile injectable biosimilars production plant. It has also signed a non‑binding term sheet to acquire Just‑Evotec Biologics EU SAS in France, which owns a biologics development and manufacturing facility in Toulouse. - What is Sandoz historical background?
Sandoz traces its heritage back to 1886. It highlights milestones such as Calcium Sandoz in 1929, the world’s first oral penicillin in 1951 and what it describes as the world’s first biosimilar in 2006, reflecting a long history in pharmaceuticals and early involvement in biosimilar development.
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