Zdravlje History

Fourteen employees at the Town Pharmacy Enterprise in Leskovac founds „Chemical Laboratory“ in which they produce magistral pharmaceutical products. At the packaging of the simple, but necessary drugs, soon appears the signature „Chemical and Pharmaceutical Laboratory“. In December 1953, the Factory of drugs ZDRAVLJE – Leskovac was founded. Its founder is the Master of Pharmacy Bozidar Djordjevic-Kukar, the offspring from a renowned Leskovac industrialist family.

The Vision turns to reality ZDRAVLJE is a promising perspective: CH Boehringer Ingelheim begins the cooperation. A little later, PFIZER joins in.

Employees in ZDRAVLJE make tough decisions: To build a new factory with infrastructure in compliance with European standards, to establish own school for technicians of various profiles, to provide scholarship for a number of students at faculties.

ZDRAVLJE moves to new facilites in the „industrial zone“ of the town, at its current location. The manufacturing is now a comact technological organization. ZDRAVLJE is expanding. Increasing number of international partners who are interested in cooperation. Experts teams are formed, the infrastructure is bulit and equipment is purchased for research and development operations.

With expertize from the Faculties of Technology in Novi Sad and Belgrade, the foundations of the base production are built: the manufacturing of clinical dextrans is started by biosynthesis, the method that was developed in ZDRAVLJE laboratories.

The period of complete maturity: ZDRAVLJE is the brand name of trust. More than 180 registered products in 220 forms are manufactured. Mostly from the portfolio of BOEHRINGER, but also from PFIZER, LEDERLE, CLIN MYDI, WELLCOMME, MADAUS, GRÜNENTHAL ...
ZDRAVLJE in cooperation with the firms Dr DRALLE and SCHWARZKOPF introduces the cosmetics production. First, the hygienic products, and then the decorative one.

No more secrets in medicinal production. Time for conquering the markets. ZDRAVLJE is present in more than 40 countries around the world. Three quarters of the gross income comes from export.

ZDRAVLJE introduces the Medical Devices Program. With the American firm TRAVENOL Zdravlje produces filters for dialisis with accompanying sets and solutions. At the areas of South Serbia, Zdravlje builds: Mini-facility of medicinal disposable syringes Combined facility for processing agricultural products, herbs and forest fruits. Facility for aluminum tubes and aerosol doses.

Održan vitalitet proizvodnje i infrastrukture. Razni oblici sankcija i povremeni potpuni embargo zaustavljaju svaki razvoj.

ZDRAVLJE uses its own human potential and research resources. The Facility of API and fine chemicals is projected and built. The own production substitutes part of the imported raw materials With the American firm POLYMER TECHNOLOGY Corporation , Wilmington, Massachusetts, USA, Zdravlje continues previously initiated production of contact lenses BOSTON ENVISION .

From the beginning of 2003, ZDRAVLJE is acquired by PHARMACO Group from Iceland, the company with high ratings at the European pharmaceutical market.

From 17 May 2004, PHARMACO changes it name to ACTAVIS; ZDRAVLJE, as part of Actavis Group, now has the new tagline in its logo Actavis company: This is a successful business year for ZDRAVLJE. In total 6.9 million EUR is invested in the new equipment for production, into refurbishment of the manufacturing facilities and other departments, installing of the modern IT ERP and Quality Control Systems, as well as into the improvement of the work conditions. The 10% increase is reported in sales of medicines compared to the previous year.

The first phase of refurbishment of the pharmaceuticals Production Facility (Solid Oral Dosage) is ongoing. After this, ZDRAVLJE new production facility will be able to supply the most demanding markets in Europe.
Thanks to the most up-to-date equipment and modern manufacturing technological processes, ZDRAVLJE produces tablets, dagees, ampules, capsules, syrups and inhalators.

Zdravlje is certified per ISO 14001 Standard by the Swiss SGS company. That is a proof that all we do in the field of Environmental protection complies with the most stringent world standards, and that Zdravlje is indisputably one of the leaders in this area.
Zdravlje introduces BCM Standard – for Business Continuity Management, highly rated by international auditors.
The Cosmetics Facility continues operations based on the Agreement as an independent firm «Z Cosmetics», established by the employees of this former Zdravlje Business Unit.
The Tubes and Dosages Facility in Gazdare is taken over by a new owner, with full guaranties of the terms and conditions for the involved employees.
Zdravlje donates its Herbal Drier Facility to the municipality of Bosilegrad.

The Refurbishment of Microbiology Lab is completed in compliance with the highest GLP standards. The First Phase of OSD Facility Refurbishment is successfully completed. The refurbishment immediately enters the Phase 2. Total investment since the privatization of Zdravlje already exceeds EUR 30 million.
Zdravlje receives the Certificate for Quality in compliance with ISO 9001 : 2001, and by its Certificate in Health and Safety - OHSAS 18001 Zdravlje Leskovac takes the leading position in the global company it operates with.

The Five-year Privatization Agreement has been successfully realized. Actavis Group, within which Zdravlje operates since 2003, has invested over EUR 31 million into modernization of manufacturing operations in Zdravlje Leskovac.
The Refurbishment Project for the OSD manufacturing and packaging has been completed. Zdravlje Leskovac now has the best manufacturing facility in Actavis Group in Europe.
Zdravlje achieves exceptional results at the Serbian GMP MoH Certification Inspection.
Based on the Inspection of the Danish Medicines Agency, Zdravlje gets the first formal EU GMP Certificate and accomplishes the most important business goal – entering the European and world markets.

EU GMP – Danish Agency Certificate for medicines from Zdravlje.
The first millions of tablets of the oral hypoglycemic produced in Zdravlje go to the market of Denmark after receiving the EU GMP Certificate, and the company receives the authorization for this product at the French market.
Compared to the period from the beginning of the Privatization, the production of Zdravlje shows a significant increase: from 17.5 million packs of finished products in 2003, to the production of over 30 million packs in 2009. At the same time, the volume increase for the markets of Europe, such as Denmark, Norway, Lithuania, Latvia, Germany and Portugal, and the markets of other continents, such as Asia and Africa, contributes to the fact that more than 30% of Zdravlje production is exported to international markets.
Zdravlje strongly supports the local community through a great range of socially responsible and philanthropic projects and activities in 2009. Thanks to the funds provided by the company, several hundreds of individuals and organizations have successfully realized the activities towards improvement of health, education, sport and culture. The only criterion that Zdravlje is led in its strategic support to local community is the purpose of the projects and the new core values that are created through these projects.

The Liquids Facility is completely reconstructed in compliance with the current guidelines and the Serbian GMP Certificate is received for the production and packaging of the Zdravlje liquid pharmaceutical products.
After the four-day inspection by the Ukrainian Medicines Agency, all GMP relevant processes in Zdravlje have been checked and confirmed by the received Certificate.
Big steps in development of Zdravlje – transfer of 4 new products from Actavis portfolio is launched for the large markets of Russia and CIS countries.
Successful development of Zdravlje attracts many stakeholders, from professional, scientific and educational, to those from diplomatic and statehood spheres. The experiences and lessons they take after visiting Zdravlje are generally reflected through their impressions: “Worldly, but ours – domestic! Zdravlje is a top pharmaceutical company, in line with European models. We have felt the spirit of Europe in our Serbia.” “Everything is at the highest possible level. Enthusiasm of employees, new technological achievements and continuous work to acquire the most up-to-date practices. The facilities are perfect, and so are the people. Well done! All the praises for Zdravlje!”

Quality for European and global integrations!
Annual Conference of the Scientific and Technical Committee for Pharmaceuticals is held on the theme „Challenges in Pharmaceutical Business in the International Environment“.
As part of this conference, Zdravlje had the honor to present its valuable experiences within the session on the performance management in the Pharmaceutical Quality System through the presentation given by Quality Director Snezana Tvrdorijeka – „The Importance of QMS in the International Environment – Safe Supply Chain“.

Global integration between Watson Pharmaceuticals and Actavis. Zdravlje continues its successful operations within one of the first three leading generic pharmaceutical companies in the world.
After the reviews and approval of the relevant national, financial and stock-exchange institutions, Actavis’ final offer for acquiring all the shares of FHI Zdravlje AD is announced.

Zdravlje builds the new facility in compliance with EU GMP and EHS standards for manufacturing and packaging of a new product used in the therapy of the Parkinsonian disease.
Actavis becomes 100% owner of Zdravlje. The highest global standards, Quality policies and Performance Management Program of the new integrated company are successfully implemented.
Health and Safety, one of the Company’s priorities, is raised at a higher level by launching the new initiative – “Safety Starts with Me” – engaging all the employees.
Thanks to the support from Zdravlje, the Leskovac General Hospital wins the “Battle for Babies”; the pioneer girls from the local basketball club supported by Zdravlje (Actavis Academy) win the title of Champions of Serbia; the children’s Choir “Zvezdice” (Little Stars) perform at the “Kolarac Hall” “In the Rhythm of Europe”, while the members of the “Rainbow” Association - Day Care Centre helping those with challenges in mental development, become visible and recognized for their inclusive activities.
The New Facility Project is successfully completed enabling the production of the new medicine that will be used in the therapy of the Parkinsonian disease from the following year.
The Liquids Facility achieves high results and passes the new GMP inspection by the Serbian Ministry of Health.
According to all business parameters and achievements in 2013, Zdravlje wins the title of Vice-Champion in its category among Actavis manufacturing sites around the world, crowning its great jubilee – 60th Anniversary of successful business.

In line with market demands for the new medicine in the therapy of the Parkinsonian disease, Zdravlje begins the recruitment of the new hires. The end of this and the beginning of the next year will be marked by the hugest hiring process in Zdravlje – ever. New jobs are created for over one hundred new employees.
The new equipment for production processes, primary and secondary packaging is acquired to meet the set goals. New capsuling equipment, of almost 10 time higher volume is installed.
The USA Ambassador in Serbia visits Zdravlje, which is operating as part of one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical players and showing the high level of commitment and care for patients in Serbia, doing its best to ensure the continuous supply of the markets.
The representatives of the local community, as the hosts, underline that the successful operation of Zdravlje has a great impact on the development of the city and the whole region through its contribution to the economic development and improvement of quality of life in the community.
After the title of Vice-Champion in 2013, Zdravlje Team achieves the best performance results in the class in 2014 and wins the title “Plant of the Year” in the global competition of the Group it operates with.

Globally, Actavis and Allergan start the integration and the combination makes one new more dynamic type of the company – leader in developing pharmaceutical industry. The Global business is continued under the name Allergan, with commitment to maintain Actavis brand in selected geographies and for selected product portfolios. Zdravlje continues its operation under Actavis brand.
During the new four-day inspection by the Danish Medicine Agency, the full compliance and Zdravlje’s EU GMP Certificate is confirmed.
Zdravlje receives the National “28 April Acknowledgement” for its commitment to Health and Safety at work.
Following the successful transfer of new products, the increase of the production capacities, installation of the new equipment and hiring of more than 100 new employees, Zdravlje sends a convoy of long-vehicles with historical quantities of exported products.
The end of an exceptional year, in which Zdravlje rounds 62 full years of successful business, is marked by a great Team Celebration for all Zdravlje employees.

From 3 August, Zdravlje, together with the whole generic business of Allergan (Actavis Generics) starts operating within the leading generic pharmaceutical company in the worlds - Teva Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Period of the continuous alignment and business optimization in compliance with the global standards and requirements of the leading company in the generic pharmaceutical industry.
At the beginning of 2020, the strategic restructuring of the global organization is announced, including sale of a large number of Teva’s manufacturing and commercial organizations worldwide. Zdravlje is one of them.
The process of finding strategically compatible buyers for Zdravlje begins in order to ensure the successful business continuity and future growth. For the key pharmaceutical competitors in this process, Zdravlje in cooperation with Teva’s Business Development realizes the complex due diligence processes, virtual and on-the-site visits. In spite of the challenges Covid-19 pandemic has brought to the whole world, these processes lead to the desired goal – Zdravlje gets the best buyer who will ensure the business continuity, with ambitious plans for the future development.

On 11 January, the beginning of the transition of Zdravlje business from Teva Pharmaceuticals Ltd to Frontier Pharma and Baystone Group, as the new owners, is announced, along with the plans for the successful completion of this transaction by the end of Q1 2021.
From April 1, Zdravlje formally starts to operate under the ownership of Frontier Pharma and Baystone Group as an independent pharmaceutical company and a Balkan leader in this industry – under its renowned brand.
This important historical milestone is commemorated in Zdravlje with many activities devoted to employees, Zdravlje brand, environment and the long-lasting and successful future growth.
Organization changes from May 10, 2021 mark the beginning of the successful journey towards achieving Zdravlje’s Vision and Mission: Kiren Naidoo takes over the role and responsibilities of Chief Executive Officer (CEO of Zdravlje AD Leskovac), and Levent Selamoglu is appointed as Chairman of Zdravlje’s Board of Directors. Zdravlje organizationally consists of three business divisions: Operations (Site in Leskovac), Commercial (Office in Belgrade) and Business Development.