Polpharma Group

What Polpharma Group does

Polpharma Group B.V. is a privately held, vertically integrated pharmaceutical manufacturer headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, with operating roots in Starogard Gdański, Poland since its founding in 1935. The group operates along the full pharmaceutical value chain, from Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) production through finished dosage forms, across a network of eight manufacturing competence centres in Poland (Starogard Gdański, Nowa Dęba, Duchnice, Sieradz, Warsaw), Kazakhstan (Shymkent/Chimpharm), and Russia (Moscow/Akrikhin). The portfolio spans more than 4,000 SKUs across prescription generics (over 200 APIs, more than 2,000 articles), non-prescription consumer healthcare products with category-leading brands in CEE and CIS markets, and specialized capabilities in hard-to-make generics, Long Acting Injectables, ECO preservative-free ophthalmics, Dry Powder Inhalers, and innovative fixed-dose combinations. The group also operates dedicated API (Polpharma API, present in 60+ countries) and contract manufacturing (Polpharma CMO/CDMO) service segments serving third-party pharmaceutical customers globally.

The company generates revenue through five primary streams: prescription generic medicines sold via retail and hospital pharmacies, consumer healthcare products sold without prescription, API supply to industrial customers, contract manufacturing and CDMO services to pharmaceutical partners, and licensing/out-licensing arrangements. Distribution operates through direct commercial presence in Poland and Kazakhstan as core markets, combined with strategic partnerships and out-licensing arrangements covering 40+ countries across CEE, CIS, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. Annual production capacity totals 7.3 billion tablets, more than 700 million capsules, and more than 150 million ampoules, with approximately 400 million medicine packages sold annually. The group is owned by Polish investor Jerzy Starak via Polpharma Group Holding B.V., is privately held with no public listing, and is undergoing a CEO transition effective January 1, 2026, from Markus Sieger (who led the group since 2016) to internal successor Sebastian Szymanek. All manufacturing sites are GMP-certified and hold regulatory approvals from FDA, EMA, EDQM, SKFDA, PMDA, and ANVISA.

Key subsidiaries include Zakłady Farmaceutyczne Polpharma S.A. (Poland), Chimpharm/Santo (Kazakhstan), Polfa Warszawa S.A. (Poland), Polpharma Biologics (biotechnology), Medana Pharma S.A., JSC Akrikhin (Russia, limited to pediatric, acute, and chronic products due to sanctions), Farmaprojects (Spain), 089Farm (Germany), and Swiss Pharma International (Switzerland). Strategic industry positioning is reinforced by CEO Markus Sieger's presidency of Medicines for Europe and advisory role at IGBA, supporting EU policy advocacy around the Critical Medicines Act and pharmaceutical sovereignty. Revenue exceeds EUR 1.3 billion annually, up from approximately EUR 900 million in 2020, with a current headcount of approximately 5,600 employees including 91 with doctorate degrees.

Name

Polpharma Group

Legal name

Polpharma Group B.V.

Website

https://polpharmagroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Generic Pharmaceuticals

NAICS

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

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Contract Development & Manufacturing for Generics (CDMO/CMO) (HLAIABAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Generic Hospital & Institutional Products (HLAIABAL), Generic Tender & Government Supply Markets (HLAIABAM)

Keywords

• Generic pharmaceuticals
• Active pharmaceutical ingredients
• Contract manufacturing services
• Consumer healthcare products
• Prescription medicines

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Prescription Medicine (Generics): Sale of affordable prescription medicines (generics) containing the same active pharmaceutical ingredient as original patented products. The portfolio includes more than 200 active pharmaceutical ingredients and more than 2,000 articles. Includes Hard-to-Make Generics and Novel Combinations.
2. Consumer Healthcare (CHC/OTC): Sale of non-prescription consumer healthcare products available without prescription across various health categories. Includes several category-leading brands in CEE and CIS markets.
3. Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API): Production and sale of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients to business customers worldwide. Polpharma API operates a portfolio of >30 APIs and provides CDMO services. Present in 60+ countries.
4. Contract Manufacturing Services (CMO/CDMO): Customised contract manufacturing services with full analytical support in GMP-compliant production plants. Includes finished dosage forms manufacturing and licensing-out services. Nearly 20 years of experience supplying FDF to 3rd parties.
5. In-licensing and Out-licensing: In-licensing and out-licensing deals for pharmaceutical products. Strategic partnership opportunities with co-marketing and co-development arrangements.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Polpharma Group manufactures and sells a vertically integrated portfolio of generic prescription medicines, over-the-counter consumer healthcare products, and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), supported by in-house R&D and eight specialized competence centres. The group also provides contract manufacturing (CMO) and CDMO services to pharmaceutical partners worldwide. Its portfolio spans more than 200 active pharmaceutical ingredients and over 4,000 SKUs sold in 40+ countries.

Product overview

Polpharma Group is a leading regional pharmaceutical manufacturer operating across Central and Eastern Europe, CIS, and Central Asia with over 90 years of experience. The company offers a balanced portfolio of prescription medicines (Rx) and consumer healthcare products (CHC/OTC), with over 4,000 SKUs spanning therapeutic areas including cardiology, ophthalmology, and pediatrics. The Group operates across the pharmaceutical value chain through integrated segments: prescription generics and novel combinations, consumer healthcare OTC brands, active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) production since 1951, and contract manufacturing organization (CMO) services. Core brands include Vitamin D products with leading regional positions, while specialized capabilities cover hard-to-make generics, long-acting injectables, ECO eye drops, and dry powder inhalers. The Group includes subsidiaries in Poland (Zakłady Farmaceutyczne Polpharma S.A.), Kazakhstan (Santo/JSC Chimpharm), Spain (Farmaprojects), Germany (089Farm), Switzerland (Swiss Pharma International), and Russia (JSC Akrikhin), producing approximately 400 million medicine packages annually sold in over 40 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Polpharma CMO: World-class provider of high-quality products and services offering finished dosage forms (FDF) and licensing-out as well as customised contract manufacturing services with full analytical support in GMP-compliant production plants.
• Polpharma API

Products and services

• Prescription Medicines (Rx Generics)

Quantifiable outcome

• 40+ countries served with products sold directly or through partner networks
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• NeuraxpharmcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Strategic joint venture cooperation in the area of biotechnology established in 2014 between Polpharma and the German company Neuraxpharm.
• ApotexcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership between Apotex and Polpharma Group for co-marketing and co-development of products focused on diabetes care and cardiovascular disease. The collaboration allows utilization of mutual potential to provide more patients in more markets with high quality and affordable products.
• Medicines for EuropeflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association representing generic, biosimilar and value-added medicines industries across Europe. CEO Markus Sieger serves as President of the association. Focuses on sustainable access to high quality medicines based on patients, quality, value, sustainability and partnership pillars.
• International Generic and Biosimilar medicines Association (IGBA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational network of generic medicines associations strengthening cooperation between manufacturers of generic and biosimilar medicines from around the world. CEO Markus Sieger serves on the CEO Advisory Committee established by IGBA.
• Distribution PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of distribution partners commercializing Polpharma Group products in over 40 countries globally. Includes partners for export, distribution, and out-licensing arrangements.
• Universities and Research InstitutesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with universities and research institutes both locally and abroad for R&D activities. Crucial to agile action, being successful and creating higher value in drug development.
• Healthcare Professionals and InstitutionscoreOthersDaily cooperation with doctors, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals to understand every stage of patient journey and ensure patients receive and stick to the most adequate treatment.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Egis Pharmaceuticals: Hungarian pharmaceutical manufacturer owned by Servier, with strong presence in CEE and CIS markets across generics, cardiovascular, and CNS therapies. Competes directly in Polpharma's core therapeutic areas and geographies.
• Stada Arzneimittel: German-headquartered European generics and consumer healthcare leader. Directly comparable in product mix (Rx generics, OTC, specialty) and European geographic focus, with similar CDMO capabilities through a private-equity-backed capital structure.
• KRKA: Slovenian generic pharmaceutical manufacturer with strong CEE, CIS, and Central Asian footprint. Competes directly with Polpharma in prescription generics, OTC, and animal health with comparable scale and similar geographic coverage.
• Gedeon Richter: Hungarian-headquartered pharmaceutical company with leading positions in CEE and CIS markets across branded generics, biosimilars, and women's health. Similar vertical integration model and competing directly in cardiology and central nervous system therapies.
• Zentiva: Sanofi spinoff and one of the largest generic pharmaceutical manufacturers in Central and Eastern Europe. Operates across Rx generics, OTC, and APIs with strong presence in CEE, directly overlapping with Polpharma's core markets and product categories.

Broad incumbents

• Sandoz: Novartis spinoff and global generics and biosimilars leader. Operates one of the largest generic and biosimilar CDMO networks globally and represents a scaled competitor across most of Polpharma's therapeutic areas and geographies.
• Teva Pharmaceutical Industries: Global leader in generic pharmaceuticals with extensive CEE and CIS presence. While far larger and more diversified than Polpharma, it competes in the same generic categories and represents a benchmark for vertical integration and Day-1 launch capabilities.
• Hikma Pharmaceuticals: Jordan-headquartered multinational with significant European and MENA generic pharmaceutical operations. Comparable in injectable and complex generic capabilities and serves overlapping CEE markets via strategic partnerships.

Emerging players

• Apotex: Canadian-based generic pharmaceutical manufacturer and Polpharma's strategic partner for co-marketing and co-development in diabetes and cardiovascular. Comparable in scale, vertical integration, and focus on affordable generic medicines across multiple regulatory jurisdictions.

Regional players

• Alkaloid AD: North Macedonia-based pharmaceutical manufacturer with strong Western Balkans and CEE presence in generics, OTC, and APIs. Comparable regional focus and generic manufacturing scale with similar export-driven business model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/polpharma-group

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A1 record

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Polpharma Group