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Stada is a global healthcare company with a 130-year history. Founded in Germany by a group of pharmacists as a cooperative for manufacturing medicines and self-care products, it is now one of the leading European pharmaceutical groups, with a presence in over 30 countries. The company focuses on a three-pillar strategy; generic medicines, consumer health and specialty drugs.

                                       

Stada arrived in Spain in 1999 through an investment in Ciclum Farma. In 2002, it took over 100% of the Madrid-based company and also acquired Bayvit, the second largest supplier of generics in Spain. It currently has a global hub for its technical operations, supply chain and technology in Sant Just Desvern (Barcelona), which  has 40 employees at present, and which will double in size and staff number this year.

      

     

 

How has Stada evolved since it arrived in Spain?

The company’s evolution has been truly remarkable. Since its arrival on the Spanish market, Stada has undergone a profound transformation that has consolidated us as one of the main players in the pharmaceutical industry. Following the acquisition in 2002 of Ciclum Farma and Bayvit – at that time the second largest generics laboratory in Spain – we have laid the foundations for an ambitious and sustainable growth strategy. We adopted Stada’s global model based on three pillars, adapting it to the context in Spain. The first, focused on generic medicines, has allowed us to build one of the most extensive drug formularies on the market, always with a focus on service and collaboration with healthcare professionals. The second, consumer health, includes flagship brands like Trofolastin, Lactoflora, Venoruton and Mitosyl, which are part of the daily lives of thousands of families. And the third, specialty drugs and biosimilars, positions us in key therapeutic areas, such as rheumatology, neurology, dermatology and oncology. Today, Stada Spain is a strategic subsidiary within the Group, recognised as a Top Employer in 2025. We continue to grow with a very clear purpose, to take care of people’s health by being a trusted partner for health professionals and patients.

 

Have you returned to the strategy of acquiring companies in Spain, or are you committed to organic growth?

Over the years, we have consolidated our diversification strategy in Spain, combining organic growth with selective acquisitions of iconic consumer health brands. This strategy is fully aligned with our global three-pillar model, which we have successfully adapted to the context in Spain. Through acquisitions, we have significantly strengthened our local portfolio by integrating well-known assets, such as Trofolastin, Venoruton and Mitosyl. These brands have not only strengthened our market presence, but have also generated synergies in terms of operations, distribution and positioning. This strategic vision allows us to anticipate consumer needs, consolidate our visibility and reputation as a benchmark in health and wellness and continue to generate sustainable value for patients and consumers, as well as for our partners.

 

What is Spain’s role in the company strategy?

Spain has consolidated its position as one of Stada’s most important strategic markets globally, representing 5% of the Group’s turnover and maintaining sustained and profitable growth. Our subsidiary stands out for its balance between the three key divisions – generic medicines, consumer health and specialised drugs – enabling us to respond to the needs of patients and consumers in our aim of taking care of people’s health by acting as a trusted partner. Spain has in addition become a leading country when it comes to launching specialised healthcare products, including biosimilars and value-added medicines (VAMs). This positioning has been reinforced by the creation (Barcelona) of a global hub for technical operations (TechOps) in Sant Just Desvern, which centralises key functions of the supply chain, planning, quality, technology and systems. This strategic commitment not only reaffirms our commitment to the country, but also positions Spain as a driver of innovation and growth within Stada’s global ecosystem.

 

What role does the Sant Just Desvern hub have?

Our global TechOps hub in Sant Just Desvern is an important part of Stada’s global operational architecture. Some essential functions in the supply chain, planning, quality, technology and systems are coordinated from this centre, which brings together highly qualified and multidisciplinary talent, , providing support to all geographical areas of the Group, and acting as a centre of excellence that drives process improvement, operational innovation and the scalability of our solutions. This investment not only reaffirms our commitment to Spain, but also establishes the country as a leading global hub within the Group, serving as a driver of Stada’s growth and competitiveness.

 

What are Stada’s plans for this hub?

Our goal is to continue to expand the operational capabilities of this global hub in Spain sustainably, expanding our team with highly qualified talent, and to consolidate this centre of operational excellence by reaffirming our commitment to investing in the country in order to generate a positive impact on the local and global environment.

 

How many employees do you have in Spain?

Currently, our global TechOps hub in Spain has around 40 employees, and we expect this number to increase significantly over the course of 2025 and 2026 with new hires.

 

What other infrastructure do you have in Spain?

We have a strong presence in Spain, structured around two strategic workplaces: our headquarters in Sant Just Desvern (Barcelona), which houses both corporate functions and our global hub for technical operations, and our office in Madrid, focused on commercial activity, primarily in specialised drugs. In addition, we have several logistics platforms distributed throughout the region, with the aim of guaranteeing an excellent level of service to pharmacies, hospitals and distributors. This infrastructure allows us to operate with agility and efficiency, reinforcing our commitment to caring for the health of millions of people in Spain.

 

What other investments do you plan to make in Spain in the future?

At Stada, sustainable growth based on integrity, agility, entrepreneurship and collaboration is a fundamental part of our culture. In the markets where we operate, and especially in Spain, where our presence is strong and growing, we are always on the lookout for new opportunities that will allow us to continue generating value. We are committed to strategic capacity building, talent attraction and innovation, with the vision of making a positive impact on healthcare.

 

^{Photos: Stada}