Swiss pharmaceutical giant Sandoz has announced the creation of a specialized unit for biosimilar development, manufacturing, and supply. This strategic restructuring aims to streamline decision-making and accelerate vertical integration as the company prepares for a surge in off-patent medications.
Executive leadership overhaul Effective April 1, 2026, Armin Metzger will join the Sandoz Executive Committee as President of Biosimilar Development, Manufacturing & Supply. Bringing decades of expertise from Ferring Pharmaceuticals and Merck KGaA, Metzger is tasked with consolidating the biosimilar value chain under a single leadership pillar.
As part of the new organizational setup, Sandoz is also refining its generic medicines operations:
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Generics Focus: A dedicated unit will focus on high-volume, lower-cost business, a segment that accounted for 70% of Sandoz’s global sales in 2025.
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Key Appointments: Claire D’Abreu-Hayling will transition to President of Generics Development and Chief Scientific Officer, while Glenn Gerecke has been named President of Generics Manufacturing & Supply.
Capitalizing on exclusivity loss Sandoz CEO Richard Saynor highlighted that the industry is entering an “unprecedented golden decade,” with medicines worth over 650 billion USD set to lose exclusivity over the next 10 years. By creating dedicated units for biosimilars and generics, Sandoz aims to be more agile in delivering affordable treatments while securing long-term growth in the global healthcare market.
Source: https://www.contractpharma.com/breaking-news/sandoz-creates-global-biosimilars-unit/