EIB and Antibiotice join forces to boost production of medicines in Romania

This agreement was made possible with the support of the InvestEU programme, which aims to trigger more than €372 billion in additional investment over the period 2021-27.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Antibiotice, Romania’s leading pharmaceutical manufacturer, have joined forces to boost the production of medicines in Romania. The €25 million loan agreement will help finance the construction of a state-of-the-art production, packaging, and storage unit at Antibiotice's Iasi site, facilitating development of new production lines, digitalization, research and development capacities. The EIB loan represents a quarter of the total investment cost of €95.4 million.

This agreement was made possible with the support of the InvestEU programme, which aims to trigger more than €372 billion in additional investment over the period 2021-27.

This partnership marks a significant milestone for Romania's healthcare sector, being the first InvestEU operation approved in Romania, following the Investment Committee decision of October. It reinforces the objectives of the EU Pharmaceutical Strategy and the Commission Communication on addressing medicine shortages in the EU, which aim to address medicine shortages and strengthen security of supply in the EU.

The project supports the creation of advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity in a cohesion region in Romania. By decreasing reliance on imports and promoting healthcare accessibility across the European Union, the initiative enhances the competitiveness and resilience of the European pharmaceutical industry and underlines the pivotal role of advanced manufacturing capacity in supporting the EU’s strategic autonomy, particularly in healthcare.

Supporting the company's research and development team to create new medicines and production processes will lead to the hiring of approximately 100 full-time employees for research and manufacturing over a period of four years. Antibiotice SA works closely with universities and research institutes, further supporting the job market for highly skilled individuals.

EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska said: “This collaboration demonstrates our commitment to fostering innovation, creating jobs, and advancing healthcare solutions in Romania. The EIB's support empowers Antibiotice SA to expand its research and production capabilities, contributing to the well-being of the European population and increasing R&D in cohesion regions. I am glad to salute this first InvestEU project in Romania.”

European Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni said: “The COVID-19 pandemic underlined the importance of strengthening the capacity of Europe’s medical manufacturing industrial base. I am delighted that InvestEU is playing a crucial role in providing the financing needed for Europe’s healthcare industry to remain competitive and innovative, whilst addressing the needs of patients and those of our health systems. This project in Romania will boost antibiotics production as well as benefitting the local economy and creating high-quality jobs.”

“This partnership with the European Investment Bank consolidates ‘The Future Together 2030’, our business plan and the company’s capacity to respond to the needs and requirements of the European pharmaceutical market. We are investing in research, technological transfer and new production sites to generate added value in the pharmaceutical industry and strengthen the company's economic and financial indicators by 2030.”, said Ioan Nani, CEO of Antibiotice SA.

The partnership between the EIB and Antibiotice SA is a step towards building a self-sufficient and competitive pharmaceutical industry in Romania. By investing in local talent, promoting innovation, and enhancing healthcare accessibility, this initiative lays the foundation for a healthier future for both Romania and the broader European Union.