Pharma chief Stefan Oelrich said the German drugs and agriculture group is continuing its “firm commitment to inclusive growth and making sustainability an integral part of our business strategy.”

Bayer is currently building new state-of- the art production lines for hormonal implants and hormonal intrauterine systems in Alajuela, Costa Rica, and Turku, Finland as part of an effort to secure long-term supply to meet increased global demand for long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs).

On completion of the expansion in Finland, which it described as a “substantial” investment, Bayer said the plant “will boast the latest technology, leveraging automation and robotics to produce long-acting reversible contraceptives.”

The Leverkusen-based group added that both investments will help it achieve its global sustainability goal of providing 100 million women and girls with access to family planning by 2030 as well as supporting its position as a leader in women’s healthcare with an innovative and successful intrauterine systems (IUS) product portfolio. At the same time, the plants will strengthen its commercial supply chain.

Bayer began building its women’s health franchise following the acquisition of Berlin-based Schering for well over $22 billion in 2006. In addition to gynecology, Schering’s portfolio at the time included multiple sclerosis, oncology and contrast agents.

Author: Dede Williams, Freelance Journalist