Ceva-Phylaxia will invest HUF 8.17 billion in the new research and production facility, complemented by a non-refundable state grant of HUF 1.83 billion, bringing it to a total of HUF 10 billion ($35.23 million), Szíjjártó said. He added that the state grant was justified by the fact that the company will create jobs for highly qualified personnel and bring innovative technologies to Hungary.
Phylaxia was established as a Hungarian company in 1912 and was acquired by French veterinary medicine maker Ceva Santé Animale in 1999.
Szíjjártó also said that the pharmaceutical sector is traditionally strong in Hungary, it has the highest production and research activity among Visegrád countries, employs some 30,000 people and last year made total revenues of HUF 810 billion.
Ceva-Phylaxia CEO Thierry Le Flohic said that half of Ceva’s global vaccine research – or 130 researchers – is based in Hungary.
