Sandoz

What Sandoz does

Sandoz is a global leader in off-patent pharmaceuticals, operating across more than 100 countries with a portfolio of over 400 active ingredients, approximately 3,500 generic medicines, 12 biosimilars on market, and a pipeline of 28 additional biosimilars. The company became an independent publicly traded entity following its October 2023 spin-off from Novartis and is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange under ticker SDZ (and on OTCQX as SDZNY). In Germany, its single largest market, Sandoz operates through sub-brands Hexal and 1 A Pharma, with manufacturing sites in Holzkirchen, Barleben, Osterweddingen, and Rudolstadt. The company employs more than 22,000 people globally. Biosimilars now contribute approximately 30% of group revenues, having reached the company's strategic mix target three years ahead of schedule.

Sandoz manufactures across multiple modalities including small molecule generics, biologics and biosimilars, transdermal patches, inhalation devices, and injectable formulations. Notable proprietary capabilities include fentanyl transdermal patch technology, the Forspiro inhaler device, and a continuous biologics manufacturing platform acquired in December 2025 through the Just-Evotec Biologics EU SAS transaction, which delivers over 10x productivity gains versus traditional fed-batch methods. Manufacturing scale is significant: 11+ billion tablets annually at Barleben, 60 million transdermal patches at Holzkirchen, and 240 million antibiotic packages at Kundl, Austria. The company is also investing USD 400M+ in a new Slovenia biologics facility.

Sandoz generates revenue primarily through one-time sales of generic and biosimilar medicines across cardiovascular, CNS, oncology, infectious disease, pain management, and respiratory categories. Revenue is supplemented by licensing and milestone payments and contract manufacturing through Salutas Pharma. The go-to-market is sales-led, with direct commercial operations in major markets supplemented by biosimilar channel partnerships with Samsung Bioepis, Polpharma Biologics, Alvotech, and EirGenix. 2025 group revenue was $11.1 billion USD, up from $10.4 billion in 2024, with growth driven by biosimilar scaling, geographic expansion, and entry into adjacent categories including GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Name

Sandoz

Legal name

Hexal AG

Website

https://sandoz.de

Company type

Public

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Sandoz is a global off-patent pharmaceuticals leader operating in 100+ countries with 3,500+ generics and 12 biosimilars. Spun off from Novartis in October 2023, it serves hospitals, pharmacies, and patients with affordable generics, biosimilars, and specialty drug delivery products.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Generic Pharmaceuticals and Biosimilars

NAICS

Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

Generic Hospital & Institutional Products (HLAIABAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Biologics & Biosimilars Distributors (HLAIAJAH), Specialty Care Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAB), Pulmonology & Allergy Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAF)

Keywords

• Generic pharmaceuticals
• Biosimilar medicines
• Off-patent drugs
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Biologics production

Headquarters

HQ city

Holzkirchen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Generic Pharmaceuticals: Sales of off-patent generic medicines across multiple therapeutic areas including cardiovascular, CNS, oncology, infectious diseases, pain management, and respiratory. Products sold under Sandoz, Hexal, and 1 A Pharma brands.
2. Biosimilars: Sales of biosimilar medicines competing with reference biologics in immunology, oncology, ophthalmology, and neurology. Contributed 30% of group revenues, meeting targets ahead of schedule.
3. OTC Products: Over-the-counter medications sold through pharmacies under Hexal and 1 A Pharma brands, including ACC akut, Lorano akut, and Gingium.
4. Licensing and Milestone Payments: Revenue from licensing agreements including up to USD 152 million from EirGenix for HER2 biosimilar commercialization rights.
5. Contract Manufacturing Services: Manufacturing services for third-party customers through Salutas Pharma, producing for Sandoz group companies and external clients in approximately 100 countries.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Sandoz develops, manufactures, and commercializes off-patent generic medicines and biosimilars, offering a portfolio of more than 400 active ingredients across approximately 3,500 generic medicines and 12 on-market biosimilars. Products span cardiovascular, central nervous system, oncology, infectious diseases, pain management, and respiratory therapeutic areas, sold under the Sandoz, Hexal, and 1 A Pharma brands to healthcare providers, hospitals, pharmacies, and through biosimilar commercialization partnerships. The company also provides contract manufacturing services through its Salutas Pharma subsidiary.

Product overview

Sandoz is a global leader in generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilars, operating as an independent company following its spin-off from Novartis in October 2023. The company offers a broad portfolio of over 400 active ingredients across approximately 3,500 generic medicines and 12 biosimilars. Its product portfolio spans multiple therapeutic areas including cardiovascular, central nervous system, oncology, infectious diseases, pain treatment, and respiratory therapies. The company markets products through sub-brands Hexal and 1 A Pharma in Germany, while commercializing biosimilars globally under the Sandoz name. Manufacturing operations include facilities in Germany (Holzkirchen, Barleben, Osterweddingen, Rudolstadt), Austria (Kundl, Schaftenau), and the acquired Just-Evotec Biologics site in Toulouse, France. Sandoz also operates contract manufacturing through subsidiaries Salutas Pharma GmbH and AEROPHARM GmbH, producing solid oral dosage forms, topical formulations, transdermal patches, and respiratory products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hexal: Leading brand in German healthcare offering prescription and OTC products including ACC akut, Lorano akut, Gingium, and biotechnologically manufactured medicines (biosimilars)
• 1 A Pharma
• Tyruko
• Hyrimoz
• Afqlir
• Pyzchiva
• RANLUSPEC

Products and services

• Hexal brand portfolio (generic and OTC medicines)
• 1 A Pharma brand portfolio (generic medicines)
• TYRUKO (natalizumab biosimilar)
• RANLUSPEC (ranibizumab biosimilar)
• Afqlir (aflibercept biosimilar)
• Pyzchiva (ustekinumab biosimilar)
• Hyrimoz (adalimumab biosimilar)
• Estrogen Transdermal Patches (Climara, Menostar)
• Generic Antibiotics Portfolio
• Contract Manufacturing Services (Salutas Pharma GmbH)

Quantifiable outcome

• Supplying approximately 10% of patients in Germany
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 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 minor and core.

• Novartis AGminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 July 2026Collaborative agreement including potential milestone payments of up to USD 400 million for therapeutic development and commercialization, alongside Sandoz's separate MOU for biologics plant in Slovenia.
• Avecho BiotechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 June 2026Existing licensing agreement with Sandoz for Australian commercial rights worth US$3 million upfront plus up to US$16 million in milestones and royalties for TPM-enhanced CBD capsules.
• Henlius BiotechminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 2026Strategic collaboration between Henlius and Sandoz for global partnership network expansion as reported in Henlius 2025 results.
• Samsung BioepiscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 2026Partnership to develop and commercialize up to five biosimilar medicines, starting with a vedolizumab biosimilar (SB36) for treating Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and pouchitis. Samsung Bioepis handles development, regulatory submissions, and manufacturing while Sandoz gains exclusive global commercialization rights except in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau, and Republic of Korea. Partnership could expand pipeline by up to 32 assets targeting $320 billion global biosimilar market opportunity by 2036.
• Strides Pharma ScienceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 19 March 2026Strides Pharma acquired and licensed a portfolio of branded generic medicines from Sandoz for approximately $12 million. Portfolio includes established products across anti-infectives, cardiovascular, and dermatology therapeutic areas. Acquisition expected to expand Strides' footprint in major African markets including Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya, supporting Sandoz's portfolio optimization.
• AlvotechcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 February 2026Supply and commercialization agreements covering multiple biosimilar candidates in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Canada agreement covers one biosimilar candidate in ophthalmology delivered as prefilled syringe. Australia and New Zealand agreement encompasses three candidates across immunology and gastroenterology. Sandoz handles regulatory filings, commercialization, and distribution while Alvotech retains responsibility for development, global clinical activities, and manufacturing.
• Evotec SEcoreTechnology or Integration · 16 December 2025Completed acquisition of Just-Evotec Biologics EU SAS including Toulouse development and manufacturing site plus indefinite license to continuous manufacturing technology for biosimilars. Deal valued at approximately $350 million initial consideration with potential over $650 million in biosimilar-linked milestone payments and royalties. Expands Sandoz's in-house drug substance development and manufacturing capabilities.
• Polpharma BiologicscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 November 2025Partnership for Tyruko (natalizumab-sztn), the first and only FDA-approved biosimilar for multiple sclerosis. Polpharma Biologics develops and manufactures while Sandoz commercializes globally under exclusive license. Drug substance supplied from Poland.
• EirGenixcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 November 2025Licensing agreement for commercialization of HER2 biosimilar EG1206A covering most territories except specific Asian countries. Deal includes up to USD 152 million in payments. EirGenix responsible for development and manufacturing while Sandoz handles commercialization.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Stada Arzneimittel: German-headquartered generics, specialty, and OTC player with strong European brand portfolio (e.g., Grippostad). Comparable to Sandoz's Hexal/1 A Pharma franchise and DACH-centric operations.
• Viatris: Formed via Mylan-Upjohn combination, Viatris is a major generics and biosimilars company with a similarly broad off-patent portfolio and global commercial footprint, directly comparable in scale and strategic positioning.
• Teva Pharmaceutical Industries: Global leader in off-patent generics and biosimilars with broad therapeutic coverage. Closely comparable to Sandoz in business model (generic + specialty), geographic reach, and pricing competition in major markets.
• Aurobindo Pharma: Indian-headquartered generics manufacturer with significant US and EU presence. Comparable to Sandoz as a high-volume, cost-competitive generics supplier targeting similar institutional and retail customers.
• Sun Pharmaceutical Industries: India's largest generics company with growing specialty/biosimilar presence. Directly comparable as a global generics supplier with similar therapeutic breadth and pricing competitive dynamics.
• Apotex: Canadian-based generics manufacturer with significant investment in biosimilars. Comparable to Sandoz in its focus on affordable off-patent medicines and biosimilar pipeline development.
• Lupin: Indian generics manufacturer with strong US and emerging market presence and growing complex generics/specialty portfolio. Comparable in scale and target markets, especially in respiratory and biosimilars.
• Dr. Reddy's Laboratories: Indian multinational with strong generics portfolio and growing biosimilars/biologics franchise. Comparable to Sandoz in therapeutic breadth, regulatory complexity, and emerging biosimilar ambitions.
• Hikma Pharmaceuticals: UK-listed generics and specialty injectable manufacturer with strong hospital/injectables franchise. Comparable to Sandoz in institutional/hospital channel and complex injectable capabilities.

Emerging players

• Celltrion: South Korean biosimilars specialist competing with Sandoz in immunology and oncology biosimilars. Comparable as a focused biosimilar rival, particularly strong in Asia where Sandoz is excluded.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCgd1b1KIzSeEBYRF9jX_iZw
• Facebookfacebook.com/sandozglobal
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sandoz-pharmaceuticals-gmbh

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Sandoz