Since 2020, Towa International has invested over 30 million euros in Barcelona, where it employs 930 people.
Towa International is the international hub for Towa Pharmaceutical, a generics company based in Japan. Its mission is to research, develop, manufacture, market and distribute generic and value-added medicines, with the aim of contributing to boosting people's health. It is headquartered in Barcelona, where it has a state-of-the-art R&D centre and manufacturing plant and almost 1,000 highly qualified employees.
The company operates four independent business units which complement each other. These units respond to different business and regulatory needs: Towa US – Breckenridge Pharmaceutical, with offices in New Jersey (United States); Towa EU (Towa Pharmaceutical Italy, Spain and Portugal), with offices in Milan, Barcelona and Lisbon; Towa 2B (worldwide); and the recently launched CMO/CDMO unit.
Was Spain's Pensa brand the springboard Towa was looking for to go international in 2020?
The strategic objectives pursued by our shareholder, Towa Pharmaceutical, already included global expansion and, after a search, an ideal platform was found for this, which not only had advanced R&D and production capabilities, but also a great team of people, a strong sales network, a presence in the main international markets and the necessary certifications to operate globally. This acquisition offered Itsuro Yoshida, President of Towa Pharmaceutical, the opportunity to fulfil his desire to bring affordable, high-quality medicines to as many countries in the world as possible. In addition, the cultural similarities with Osaka and the affinity achieved during the negotiations strengthened Towa's commitment to international expansion by founding Towa International.
From Spain you have entered the European and North American markets. Will the plant continue to be based in Martorelles?
By creating Towa International, we were already operating in both markets and, thanks to our Towa2B unit, we have been able to reach many more countries. The production capacity of our pharmaceutical production plant, one of Europe's leading pellet manufacturers, continues to expand. The most recent expansion was carried out just a few months ago with over 9 million euros having been spent on a new high-containment area for high-potency drugs. Now, with our new CMO/CDMO unit, we are opening up opportunities to produce medicines for third parties, both generic and innovator drugs. All of these reasons mean we will continue to grow from here.
What is Spain’s role in the company strategy?
Spain is key to Towa International's strategy and is much more than a point on the map for us; it is the gateway that connects us to the world, reflecting our commitment to quality and people's health. The story of our Spanish headquarters began as a strategic move and has over time proven to be a key centre of operations that drives our global growth and our mission to bring high-quality, affordable medicines to people around the world. Spain does in addition offer us logistical advantages and a collaborative research environment, strategically positioning us to expand our international presence and continue to offer affordable medicines. Spain is also known for having the world's leading biopharmaceutical hubs; in addition to this, the country has prestigious universities covering all branches of education, which give us access to highly qualified talent. And this entire ecosystem of advantages means that we have a team of people who are at the heart of achieving our goals.
Do you plan to build new production plants in Spain?
Our current focus is on maximising the capacity of the Barcelona plant, which, with over 35,000 square metres, has positioned itself as one of the largest in Europe in the field of modified-release technology, and we are continuously investing in its further expansion. With a site area of 84,000 square metres and 47,500 square metres covered area, we still have ample room for growth, allowing us to increase production capacity year on year, as well as to advance in technologies and areas of high specialisation.
How important is the R&D that takes place in Barcelona?
R&D is part of our DNA and is the raison d'être for everything we do: to contribute to boosting people's health. On this journey, the Barcelona R&D centre plays a key role. Due to the patent situation and European regulations, our R&D centre in Barcelona develops and manufactures a significant proportion of the world's oncological oral solids products. At Towa, we have always had an innovative vocation focused on value and access. Among other historic milestones, we were the first company in the world to launch a non-infringing omeprazole formulation in Europe and the United States, and we have been the only one to launch a second-generation omeprazole that is much more efficient than the originator. Furthermore, we understand that our R&D capabilities extend far beyond our own advanced technology, as we believe that our secret to success is having the best team equipped with a deep know-how and drive to continue to provide new therapeutic solutions.
You have announced new investments in this plant, in addition to those made since 2020. What capacities will Martorelles have in terms of production and R&D when these investments are implemented?
Since we started our adventure, we have always had our sights set on the future, and the Martorelles plant has been key to our strategy. With all the investments made, totalling over 30 million euros, we will reach a capacity of 5.6 billion doses per year. In addition, from the first quarter of 2026, we will have a new high containment area, enabling potent substances to be produced in batch sizes of between 10 and 100 kilograms.
How has the number of employees in Spain evolved since 2020, and how will it evolve after the 2024-2026 strategic plan has been implemented?
Over the past four years, we have experienced a cultural and organisational transformation rarely seen in the Spanish business landscape. We went from being a local factory to becoming an international hub, a change that not only redefines the way we work, but also challenges us to understand and connect seemingly opposing worlds. We have learned to be ‘translators’, working between cultures as different as Japan’s, with its 100-year strategic vision, and the United States of America, which moves forward with an agile, short-term approach. We have achieved all this while bringing our European perspective, balancing the medium and long term with a mindset that drives innovation and excellence. This journey has not been easy, but great opportunities rarely are. The key to this success has undoubtedly been our people. From 2020, when our company had 812 employees, to today, when it has grown to 930 people, our greatest achievement is not just growth in terms of numbers, but in terms of what really matters: talent, culture and values. Throughout these years, we have taken huge steps towards creating a “new way of working”, building shared values and reflecting on the impact we want to have on the world. Because we know that we don't just make products, we are also building a legacy. Now, with the 2024-2026 strategic plan, we are preparing for a new and even more ambitious chapter. In an industry as complex as generics, we know that the only formula for success is our people. And, of course, we will continue to nurture our own talent and to attract new talent.
What challenges lie beyond this strategic plan?
At Towa International, we have always looked beyond the immediate future, seeking to leave a legacy. Our long-term strategic plan is based on growth, diversification and specialisation. We have a well-defined roadmap, and the challenges ahead are even greater than we could have imagined from the outset. In the first phase of our 2024-2026 plan, we aim to gain critical mass by doubling R&D investment and developing high value-added products. In addition, we face the challenge of consolidating our sustainability and social responsibility, in response to our concern for the environmental impact. We also take our responsibility to continue working to promote access to quality medicines for patients around the world very seriously, recognising that an ageing population requires sustainable solutions to ensure a stable supply of medicines. This drives us to be more efficient and aware of what social impact our decisions have. At the moment, we are very focused on exploring the internal synergies we have within the Towa group to anticipate the future needs of our patients around the world, because we know that our medicines save lives. As one of the 20 leading generics companies in Japan, we are uniquely positioned to support the market and ensure a steady supply of affordable, high-quality medicines. We cannot achieve this alone; we have the support of our employees, customers, suppliers and strategic partners who share our vision and purpose. In addition, we actively engage with regulators and policy makers to further advance access to medicines.
Photos: Towa International