The Group

Helsinn is a family owned Swiss based group of companies engaged in the licensing, development, manufacture and distribution of pharmaceutical products world-wide. The company is primarily active in oncology supportive care, anti-inflammatory and gastrointestinal treatments. Its headquarters are based in Lugano and it has subsidiaries in Switzerland, Ireland and the USA. The group employs 450 people world-wide and in 2008 had net revenues of €184 million of which 20% was invested in research and development. In the past 5 years, Helsinn has invested approximately €140 million in R&D.

There are two operating companies in Ireland, HELSINN BIREX PHARMACEUTICALS LTD (HBP) and HELSINN BIREX THERAPEUTICS Ltd (HBT). The first company is a manufacturing service provider and the latter a sales company which focuses on the Irish market.

HELSINN BIREX PHARMACEUTICALS LTD (HBP) is a manufacturing facility producing finished pharmaceuticals for Helsinn’s partners and managing the outsourcing of specialist dosage forms for existing and new products. The Company employs 145 people and has been in operation in its current facility since 1997. The three main products produced are Nimesulide (a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug or NSAID) Klean-Prep (a gastro intestinal medicine), and Palonosetron (an anti emetic product).

In April 2009 the Helsinn Group announced to establish a center-of-excellence in R&D for oral solid dosage at its Helsinn Birex Pharmaceuticals facility. The investment of over €13 million is expected to create 10 high-value research positions. The investment is part of Helsinn’s strategic decision to strengthen its in-house development capability. The build of the facility which is currently underway is scheduled for completion by the end of 2009.