ACINO SWITZERLAND
Delivering Health –
Ensuring Effective Relief
Content
CEO Letter
03
Acino at a glance
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Our brand »Acino Switzerland«
06
Commercial Operations
08
Out-licensing
10
Contract Manufacturing
11
R&D and technologies
12
Our sites
14
Quality by tradition
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Acino - Malaria Action
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Discover the world of Acino –
you will find our corporate film here:
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Foreword
»Delivering Health« is more than a vision, more than an ambition.
In fact, for us it is the logical outcome of a corporate strategy focused on pharmaceutical innovation and quality. It also means doing the right things in the right way and realizing the full potential
of our technological leadership and our people.
Building on our core competencies in advanced drug delivery, we
develop innovative pharmaceuticals in novel drug delivery formulations. Our development efforts have come to fruition: in Europe,
Acino is the second largest manufacturer of transdermal therapeutic systems (TDS) and a top player for pellet technologies with
an unparalleled range of solid dosage forms. We are proud to be
recognized as a leader in turning drug delivery technologies into
state-of-the-art medicines.
Our aim is to create sustainable value for health care providers and
pharmaceutical partner companies, for the ultimate benefit of patients around the world. We do this in compliance with highest
Swiss quality standards, with much dedication and passion.
In the recent past, we significantly expanded our foothold beyond
Europe and successfully accessed up and coming markets in high
growth regions. With a strategic focus on the Middle East, Africa, the CIS-region and Latin America, we truly go beyond borders,
creating a new benchmark for quality pharmaceuticals to ensure
effective relief.
We invite you to step in and share our vision!
Jostein Davidsen
Chief Executive Officer
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ACINO AT A GLANCE
Who we are
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ACINO AT A GLANCE
Acino – Delivering Health
Acino Pharma, a Swiss-based specialty pharmaceutical group, develops, manufactures and internationally markets well-proven and
innovative pharmaceuticals in novel drug delivery forms, for many
of which it holds its own patents. Acino focuses on advanced galenical forms that maximize the effectiveness of recognized active
ingredients through targeted delivery and controlled release mechanisms.
Under its brand »Acino Switzerland«, Acino provides Swiss-quality
medicines to growth economies in the MENA-region, Sub-Sahara Africa, the CIS-region, Latin America and Asia, currently in more than
80 countries. With a strategic focus on high potential markets, Acino strives to extend its geographic footprint by organic growth or
through acquisitions.
As a partner of pharmaceutical companies worldwide, Acino offers
in-house developed products for out-licensing and provides customized solutions from product development to contract manufacturing. Customers benefit from advanced technological solutions,
highest product quality and a full spectrum of services – all under
one roof.
The Group operates three sites in Switzerland and one in Germany.
Its production processes are certified according to national and international standards, including Swissmedic, EU, GMP, US FDA, and
GCC regulations, as well as WHO and ISO norms.
Acino Pharma: Delivering Health
We are globally successful and a
benchmark in terms of quality and
innovative conception of
Acino views its success as a commitment, obligation and reward
alike. It is an inspiration to continuously provide excellent products
and services based on a strong commitment to innovation and quality.
pharmaceuticals – and we are
proud of our commitment to
enhance quality of life.
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OUR BRAND »ACINO SWITZERLAND«
We deliver what
our brand promises
With outstanding medicinal products we support physicians, pharmacists and other health care professionals in using the safest
and most effective remedies which also contribute to an enhanced
quality of life of their patients. Our pharmaceuticals are available
around the globe under the »Acino Switzerland« brand and, in certain countries, under the trademark of our partners.
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OUR BRAND »ACINO SWITZERLAND«
The five elements of our brand promise
High performance:
Enabling health care
professionals to
do best in their job.
Well-proven active
agents:
Working with what is
known to work best.
Enhancing quality
of life:
Providing patients
with the highest
level of relief.
Swiss quality
standard:
Providing Swiss
quality medication –
worldwide.
Advanced drug
delivery technology:
Ensuring maximum
effectiveness and
convenience.
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COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS
Taking «Acino Switzerland» global
Commercial Operations business
Market entry preparations ongoing
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COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS
Our medicines are available under our own brand »Acino Switzerland«
to physicians, pharmacists – and ultimately patients – around the
globe. Committed to highest Swiss quality standards, our effective
and safe medications support healthcare professionals in their
mission to treat patients in the best possible way.
Our portfolio comprises innovative pharmaceuticals in the therapeutic areas of pain & rheumatology, gastroenterology, infectiology, cardiovascular, urology, oncology, neurology (CNS), as well as
in the field of malaria. Our skill base and core technologies offer
numerous possibilities to develop innovative products with proven
active ingredients according to market requirements. And yet, all
our medications have something in common: they are effective
therapies in novel delivery forms which provide patients with the
greatest possible enhancement of their quality of life and convenience of use.
Today, we are active in over 80 countries. But here it doesn’t stop.
We are gradually expanding our geographic presence by entering
strategic focus markets which provide significant growth opportunities for high quality pharmaceuticals of European origin.
Welcome to Acino Switzerland – Ensuring Effective Relief.
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OUT-LICENSING
Acino – Your partner for peak
performance, everywhere
Innovation in drug delivery is our core competence. Convinced that
the API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) is only half the medicine,
we deploy our expertise to develop and manufacture exceptional
drugs with well-proven active ingredients in complex drug delivery
systems.
Out-licensing products – our innovation becomes our partners’
competitiveness
Tailored to specific customer needs, researchers at Acino identify
differentiating features and address them during development to
create more value-added products which support patient convenience and compliance. The results are compelling: high-quality medicinal products with established active ingredients in advanced
drug delivery systems for out-licensing to pharmaceutical business
partners around the globe. We succeed when our progress keeps
you moving forward.
Acino places emphasis on the development of medicinal products
with a complex patent situation and higher development risks but
less competition by other licensors. Such products include controlled release formulations, transdermal patches and long acting
biodegradable implants.
Our innovation enhances our partners’ competitiveness
Out licensing
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CONTRACT MANUFACTURING
Acino possesses a strong know-how in difficult-to-make formulations applying the highest quality standards. Its manufacturing sites
are fully fitted with state- and top-of-the-art tools and equipment.
Processes and capacities are optimized and allow for flexibility in
time-to-volume while assuring a high service level.
Contract manufacturing and more, from a single source
Pharmaceutical companies value Acino as a prime contract manufacturer of superior quality products. Acino covers the entire spectrum of services for business customers, from the strategic sourcing
of active ingredients to the manufacture and packaging, in a highly competent and reliable fashion. As a partner of pharmaceutical
companies worldwide, Acino provides customized one-stop solutions from product development to contract manufacturing, packaging and logistics. Our customers see us as a reliable full service
partner for intelligent problem solving.
We make things truly simple for our customers.
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R&D AND TECHNOLOGIES
Turning drug delivery expertise
into innovative medicines
Oral modified release
From the traditional approach to modern interpretation – from immediate to controlled release: Acino
offers an unparalleled range of solid dosage forms and is a top player when it comes to pellet technologies. Pellet-based modified release forms offer a high degree of flexibility in the design and development
of different oral dosage forms. The benefit for physicians and patients is evident: therapy can be tailored
to ensure effective relief and ease-of-use.
Oral fast disintegrating
Quick dissolution of the medicine – as with fast dissolving tablets and pellets (in stick packs) – leads to
a rapid onset of action. Additionally, direct buccal drug absorption into the blood stream may result in
an improved absorption of the drug into the body. Faster relief and easier drug intake, especially for the
elderly and patients with difficulties swallowing, are clear advantages of rapidly disintegration formulations.
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R&D AND TECHNOLOGIES
On the skin
Transdermal systems are drug-loaded adhesive patches. Placed on the skin, the patch delivers a defined
dose of medication through the skin over one to several days. Tailored drug release profiles (rate and
duration of action) can be designed through variation of the patch technology, materials (films, polymers), components (adhesive, adjuvant) and size. Patients live with the certainty of knowing that they
are continuously receiving their medication, the right dose at the right time.
Under the skin
Biodegradable drug implants release the active ingredient at a defined and sustained rate into the body.
Long dosing intervals and continuous and steady drug release over a prolonged time period (several
weeks or months) make this drug delivery form unique. After application under the skin (subcutaneous)
by physicians, patients are continuously medicated as prescribed and with the assurance of high treatment compliance.
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OUR SITES
Four sites, one goal –
Delivering Health
Aesch, Dornacherstrasse (Switzerland)
Home to a sophisticated R&D unit focused on oral drug delivery
forms and biodegradable implants as well as FDA-compliant state-ofthe-art manufacturing facilities specialized in complex pharmaceutical
dosage forms with controlled release. The Aesch site is one of the top
manufacturing sites for pellets.
Liesberg (Switzerland)
The manufacturing site at Liesberg in the Jura Mountains near Basle is
a traditional production site specialized in a variety of solid oral dosage,
primarily for larger volume business-to-business customers.
Aesch, Pfeffingerring (Switzerland)
The logistics site with primary and secondary packaging is located
in close proximity to the main manufacturing facilities. On about
3 000 square meters the site features a fully automated high-bay
warehouse with 8 000 pallet racks and manages the logistics of
numerous customers.
Miesbach (Germany)
R&D and manufacturing facilities for transdermal patches and
manufacturing of implants are located in Miesbach. As a specialty,
the site is also licensed to handle controlled substances. In view of
several product launches coming up in the near-term, capacities
are constantly being expanded. In 2012, a new factory for transdermals
was completed.
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OUR SITES
ACINO AESCH (CH)
Headquarters, R&D, Manufacturing oral technologies
ACINO Logistics (CH); Packaging & Warehousing
ACINO LIESBERG (CH); Manufacturing Oral technologies
ACINO MIESBACH (D)
Manufacturing transdermal patches and implants
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QUALITY BY TRADITION
Quality by tradition
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QUALITY BY TRADITION
Acino – Swiss quality and product excellence for international markets
Switzerland, the world’s most competitive economy*, is internationally renowned for innovation and technological leadership. Over
the last two decades, the Basle region, cradle of the Swiss pharmaceutical and chemical industry and home to Acino, has developed into a globally leading life science cluster. Successful companies share some typical Swiss beliefs: differentiation through
innovation and highest quality standards. We are proud to say,
that Acino is one of them.
The deeply rooted Swiss quality pledge is reflected in all of Acino’s
activities: from the igniting idea to the final product, from technological development to state-of-the-art production, nothing is left
to chance. Safeguarding a high level of product quality and regulatory
compliance is a fundamental objective of Acino and its operations.
In line with its strategic importance and priority, the Quality Assurance (QA) function focusing on design, implementation and
maintenance of state of the art QA systems, is reporting directly
to the CEO. In doing so, we take on the dedication of health care
providers to treat their patients in the best possible way.
When you choose Acino, you are choosing quality you can rely on.
* The Global Competitiveness Report 2013-2014, World Economic Forum
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ACINO – MALARIA ACTION
Acino – Malaria Action
Malaria affects the lives of millions across the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that each year, there are nearly 400 million
cases of malaria and close to 1 million deaths. Most people who are affected
by malaria live in countries where economic resources are scarce, and they
often cannot afford treatment. With 2.4 billion people at risk for malaria,
this serious health concern cannot be overlooked.
Acino, a member of the Swiss Malaria Group, is providing effective antimalarial treatments, reaching out to local populations in endemic countries
and supporting visiting travelers. Our initiative stands for our dedication to
changing the malaria reality.
Acino’s anti-malarials, effective medicines in novel formulations:
Artequin (artesunate & mefloquine hydrochloride) as a tablet and a
pediatric formulation (pellets in a stick pack)
Mephaquin (mefloquine base) as a tablet
Plasmotrim (artesunate) as a rectal capsule (Rectocaps™)
Trademarks might be subject to local / regional adaption. Indication for use might differ according to
local requirements / registration.
MALARIA
ACTION
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Acino is proud to be the recipient of the Frost & Sullivan Award
2014 for Best Practices in Enabling Technology Leadership in the
pharmaceutical drug delivery industry.
Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has
achieved technology excellence and visionary innovation.
Acino is being recognized for its innovative, cutting-edge technology portfolio, pioneering best practices and delivering excellence in the pharmaceutical drug delivery space. Drug delivery
system diversity, excellent product and service value, exceptional customer experience and Acino’s contribution to better
therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance were contributing
factors taken into consideration.
Imprint
Acino Pharma AG
Dornacherstrasse 114 | CH-4147 Aesch | Phone +41 61 338 60 00 | Fax +41 61 338 60 80 | [email protected] | www.acino-pharma.com
Carbon-neutrally produced and printed
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Acino Pharma AG
Dornacherstrasse 114
CH-4147 Aesch
Phone +41 61 338 60 00
Fax
+41 61 338 60 80
[email protected]
www.acino-pharma.com