In June this year, European pharmaceutical company Norgine held a 50-year anniversary for its global manufacturing site in Hengoed, Wales. Following the event, European Pharmaceutical Manufacturer editor Reece Armstrong caught up with Norgine’s CEO Peter Stein to discuss pharma trends, US and EU drug approvals and the company’s approach to improvement.
Magnifying Glass
Stein begins by explaining the roots of the Hengoed site - its 50-year history born from small beginnings with a team of around 20 employees. Now, the site is responsible for producing over 30 million packs of medicine every year, a fact recognised at the event as well as the ‘unique position Hengoed has in Wales as a major manufacturer for the world,’ according to Stein.
Norgine itself has a rich history. A family owned business founded in the early 1900s, Norgine was the first company in central Europe to start manufacturing insulin but fell dormant in World War II until it was eventually revived by Walter Stein after the war.