90 YEARS

CARING FOR THE COMMUNITY

With 15 employees producing around 350 kg of pharmaceutical raw materials, the foundations of Alkaloid were laid, marking the beginnings of a new pharmaceutical industry in the region.

Following nationalization in 1945, Alkaloid entered a period of continuous growth, significantly increasing production and employee numbers while expanding its capacities.

With the commissioning of the Galenic Production Facility in 1957, Alkaloid began manufacturing finished medicinal products and established itself as a modern pharmaceutical company with international cooperation. The facility produced medicinal products in various pharmaceutical forms, including the well-known Caffetin.

With the integration of Bilka, the Factory for Production of Chemicals and Photomaterials, Lafoma, and the Soap and Cosmetics Factory, Cvetan Dimov, as well as the opening of a new finished medicinal products factory in 1972, Alkaloid positioned itself as a fully modern pharmaceutical industry.

Through a strong investment cycle, new production facilities and integrations, Alkaloid positioned itself among the five largest companies of its kind in the former Yugoslavia, with a significantly expanded product portfolio, more than 2,800 employees and the introduction of one of the company’s most recognizable brands – Becutan.

Alkaloid successfully transformed into a joint-stock company and remained one of the few companies in the country to maintain a positive growth and development trajectory. The company also made a strategically significant move towards a modern, export-oriented business model by establishing sister companies beyond the country’s borders.

In 1996, Alkaloid embarked on its largest investment cycle to date. With the start of construction of a new facility for solid dosage forms covering approximately 12,000 m², the introduction of GMP and ISO standards, and a strong export orientation, Alkaloid established itself as a pharmaceutical company competitive on the European market with a presence in global markets.

Alkaloid underwent significant modernization with the implementation of the SAP ERP system and the opening of the Trajche Mukaetov Information Technology Centre, while in 2009 the new Research and Development Institute also commenced operations. The company opened its first production facility outside the country and established strategic partnerships with leading global companies.

A period marked by intensive capital investments in production and quality-control capacities, new laboratories, and modern production facilities. Alkaloid strengthened its export orientation, technological efficiency, and sustainable development through continuous investment in quality, education, and corporate social responsibility.