Zentiva

What Zentiva does

Zentiva is a European generics pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures, and distributes affordable generic, branded specialty, and over-the-counter medicines across more than 40 countries in Western, Central, and Eastern Europe. Headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic, the company operates four manufacturing sites (Czech Republic, two in Romania, and India) and a research and development footprint that produced 959+ product presentations and 718+ million standard manufacturing units. It serves over 100 million people annually through 31 active subsidiaries, 6 branches, and a network of 1,800+ medical representatives engaging healthcare professionals, pharmacists, and tender organizations. The company is owned by GTCR following a EUR 4.1 billion acquisition completed in April 2026 from Advent International, which had owned Zentiva since 2018.

The business operates across two principal revenue engines. The first is a prescription and consumer generics franchise that includes branded generics in cardiovascular, oncology, respiratory, central nervous system, diabetes, and consumer health therapeutic areas, with 140+ new products launched in 2024 and 43+ products launched across Europe in 2025. The second is a B2B platform anchored by Zent2U, which offers active pharmaceutical ingredients, contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) services, and out-licensing of proprietary know-how, supplemented by the Prague Scientific subsidiary providing pharmacovigilance and regulatory services. Quality, regulatory, and supply security underpin the value proposition: the company reports 100% successful GMP/GDP inspections by EMA, MHRA, Swissmedic, and US FDA, and operates an Open Innovation Programme in partnership with the Pharmaceutical Applied Research Centre (PARC) in Prague.

Zentiva is transitioning beyond traditional small-molecule generics through entry into biosimilars. In December 2025, it launched its first monoclonal antibody biosimilar for bone conditions across the EU, following earlier mAbxience biosimilar partnerships in 21 European countries and a July 2025 License and Supply Agreement with Lupin for a TNF alpha inhibitor biosimilar. The company traces its heritage to the 1488 Black Eagle Pharmacy in Prague, employs more than 5,400 people in over 30 countries, and ranks in the top 2% of pharmaceutical industry sustainability performance per EcoVadis 2025.

Name

Zentiva

Legal name

Zentiva Group, a.s.

Website

https://zentiva.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Zentiva is a European generics pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures, and distributes affordable generic, specialty, and OTC medicines across 40+ countries, serving 100+ million people through four manufacturing sites, 1,800+ medical representatives, and a B2B platform offering APIs, CDMO, and out-licensing services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Generic Pharmaceuticals

NAICS

Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254), Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (424210)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries (5122)

akta.pro primary industry

Generic Finished Dosage Form (FDF) Manufacturing (HLAIABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Contract Development & Manufacturing for Generics (CDMO/CMO) (HLAIABAI), Compounding Ingredient & API Distributors (Pharma Supply) (HLAIAJAO), Small-Molecule CMC Documentation & Regulatory Support (DMF/CMC) (HLAGAHAM)

Keywords

• Generic pharmaceuticals
• Over-the-counter medicines
• Biosimilar development
• Active pharmaceutical ingredients
• Contract manufacturing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Prague

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices29 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Generic Pharmaceuticals: Development, manufacturing and supply of generic, branded specialty, and over-the-counter medicines generating revenue through product sales across 40+ countries
2. Contract Manufacturing (CDMO): Contract development and manufacturing services for pharmaceutical partners including APIs, formulation development and commercial manufacturing
3. Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients: Supply of high-quality APIs developed and manufactured to stringent quality and regulatory standards
4. Out-licensing: Licensing of proprietary know-how and product portfolios to partners worldwide for commercialization
5. Distribution Partnerships: B2B distribution partnerships where partners handle registration, marketing and sales within territories

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Zentiva develops, manufactures, and distributes high-quality, affordable generic prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, and biosimilars across 40+ European countries, serving more than 100 million people annually. The company operates four manufacturing sites producing 718+ million standard manufacturing units and operates a B2B platform (Zent2U) supplying active pharmaceutical ingredients, contract development and manufacturing services, and out-licensed know-how to pharmaceutical partners.

Product overview

Zentiva is a European generics pharmaceutical company offering a comprehensive portfolio of generic, branded specialty, and over-the-counter medicines, along with a B2B platform of services. The core product portfolio includes prescription generics, OTC products, and biosimilars (marking 2025 entry into biologics). The company operates four manufacturing sites in Czech Republic and Romania, with an India R&D facility. The B2B offering is anchored by the Zent2U platform, which provides APIs, CDMO services, out-licensing, and the Open Innovation Programme. Prague Scientific delivers end-to-end development and scientific services including regulatory affairs and pharmacovigilance. The portfolio spans cardiovascular, oncology, respiratory, CNS, diabetes, and consumer healthcare therapeutic areas, serving over 100 million people across more than 40 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Zent2U: Dedicated Zentiva B2B platform offering capabilities in APIs, CDMO services and licensing out Know How to partners
• Prague Scientific
• PARC

Products and services

• Generic Medicines (Rx) Prescription generic pharmaceuticals including branded generics that serve as equivalent and reliable alternatives to original products, spanning cardiovascular, oncology, respiratory, and other therapeutic areas, supplied to healthcare professionals, pharmacists, and tender organizations across 40+ European countries.
• Over-the-Counter (OTC) Products Non-prescription medicines and food supplements available directly to consumers via pharmacy and retail channels, including heritage brands acquired from Aboca in 2025 to expand natural-based Consumer Healthcare solutions.
• Biosimilars Monoclonal antibody biosimilars for bone conditions and other biologic medicines, marking Zentiva's strategic entry into the biosimilar segment, including a TNF alpha inhibitor biosimilar licensed from Lupin.
• Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) Portfolio of active pharmaceutical ingredients developed and manufactured to stringent quality and regulatory standards, available to pharmaceutical partners globally through B2B supply and licensing arrangements.
• Contract Manufacturing (CDMO) Comprehensive contract development and manufacturing services including oral solids, liquids, parenterals, topical products, and sterile formulations at facilities in Czech Republic and Romania for pharmaceutical partners.
• Out-Licensing Licensing of proprietary know-how and product portfolios to pharmaceutical partners worldwide, including molecules in oncology, cardiovascular, CNS, and other therapeutic areas.
• Zent2U B2B Platform Dedicated B2B platform offering APIs, CDMO services, and licensing of proprietary know-how to pharmaceutical partners, with deep expertise in cardiology, urology, oncology, neurology, and hormonal therapies.
• Prague Scientific End-to-end development and scientific services including API and formulation R&D, manufacturing, and scientific affairs including regulatory affairs and pharmacovigilance for Rx, OTC, and non-medicinal products.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• LupinmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 July 2025License and supply agreement for TNF alpha inhibitor biosimilar medicine, expanding biosimilar portfolio capabilities.
• AbocaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2025Acquisition of heritage brands from Aboca to expand natural-based Consumer Healthcare solutions across Europe.
• AdalvominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Licensing agreement for Respiratory, CNS, and Dermatology therapeutic areas in Europe.
• mAbxiencemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Launch of first biosimilar in collaboration with mAbxience across 21 countries in Europe.
• PARC (Pharmaceutical Applied Research Centre)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership based in Prague fostering innovation through the Open Innovation Programme and collaborative research initiatives.
• BusinessEuropeminorOthersMember of Advisory and Support Group engaging in dialogues on competitive and sustainable industrial policy for the EU, emphasizing secure medicines manufacturing and supply chains.
• Medicines for EuropemajorOthersActive member contributing to executive team, board, and several committees. Represents pharmaceutical companies supplying the largest share of medicines across Europe. CEO Steffen Saltofte serves as President.
• Prague ScientificcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSubsidiary providing end-to-end development and scientific services including API and formulation R&D, manufacturing, and scientific affairs including regulatory affairs and pharmacovigilance.
• Zent2UcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDedicated B2B platform offering capabilities in APIs, CDMO services and licensing out Know How to partners, with deep expertise in cardiology, urology, oncology, neurology and hormonal therapies.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Emerging players

• Lupin: Lupin is an Indian generics manufacturer and Zentiva's biosimilar partner (TNF-alpha inhibitor, 2025); it competes in selected European molecules while also serving as a development partner, making it both a peer and a counterparty.
• Glenmark Pharmaceuticals: Glenmark is an Indian-headquartered generics company with growing European footprint through its Switzerland-based operations; it competes with Zentiva on cost-competitive molecule supply in European tenders and emerging biosimilar opportunities.

Direct peers

• Alvogen: Alvogen is a US-headquartered generics group with significant Central and Eastern European operations (a portion of which Zentiva acquired in 2019); it remains a direct competitor in CEE tender markets and women's health franchises.
• Polpharma: Polpharma is one of the largest Polish generic pharmaceutical manufacturers with CEE and Western European reach; it competes with Zentiva in similar therapeutic categories and shares the same Central European manufacturing cost base.
• Stada Arzneimittel: Stada is a European generics, specialty and consumer health company that is also PE-owned (CVC, Bain, GIC); it overlaps directly with Zentiva in generic Rx, OTC and biosimilars across the same Western and CEE European geographies.
• Sandoz: Sandoz, the Novartis generics spin-off, is the most direct competitor to Zentiva as a global off-patent medicines manufacturer with a strong European footprint in generics and biosimilars, including the same tender-driven customer base and CDMO capabilities.
• Krka: Krka is a Slovenian-based generics manufacturer with strong CEE and Eastern European presence, comparable therapeutic coverage (cardiovascular, CNS, anti-infectives) and a similar vertical integration into API manufacturing.

Broad incumbents

• Teva Pharmaceutical Industries: Teva is the world's largest generic medicines manufacturer with broad European presence; it competes head-to-head with Zentiva in tendered molecules and OTC, but also has significant specialty and branded franchises that Zentiva lacks.
• Viatris: Viatris (formed from Mylan-Upjohn) is a global off-patent pharmaceutical company with a substantial European generics franchise and biosimilar portfolio, competing with Zentiva across the same tender and retail channels.

Regional players

• Egis Pharmaceuticals: Egis is a Hungarian-based generics manufacturer with strong CEE presence and Western European expansion; it competes directly with Zentiva in CEE tender markets and shares similar cost structure and therapeutic focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@zentiva
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zentiva

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries27 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A5 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zentiva