To obtain a better insight into this local pharmaceutical company I met with the two amicable proprietors, Leif Smith(Managing Director) and Jan G.Smith (Executive Chairman of Abigo Group, which has over 30 staff. There are many other interesting features concerning Abigo.The Abigo Group comprises Abigo Medical AB, DHC, Abigo A/S and Sylak AB andis a rapidly expanding Swedish pharmaceutical company. The following questions were directed to both Leif and Jan G. Smith. What exactly is your business and why did you choose this sector?
“As a pharmaceutical company we develop, manufacture and market our pharmaceutical products, but also for wound healing. This is a niche sector often over looked by large pharmaceutical companies, however we saw potential here and have witnessed its fruition."
Why Göteborg?
“Simple-We are “Göteborgers" and our region has all we need, logistic advantages but most importantly our close alloy Sahlgrenska Science Park, of which Jan G.Smith is Chairman, while Vice President of Europharma and also Chairman of IML"
What's unique regarding your Business?
“We are a family-owned pharmaceutical company, so you could say this company is 100% Göteborg! It's seldom these days that a company is not partly owned by foreign investors. Our advantage is our ability to run things differently than a large organization which all too often focuses more internally. We move quicker when we spot areas of potential. We grow by identifying opportunities within our niche."
What organizations helped you here and with what?
“We are very familiar with Business Region Göteborg and especially its CEO Lennart Olausson who helped us out significantly in early projects."
Why the need of a subsidiary in Denmark?
“The Scandinavian countries are our primary market, however we currently are launching products in about 50 countries. We have three subsidiaries within Sweden and Denmark, though further expansion in Norway and Finland is in the pipeline."
Has it all been plain sailing in setting up here ?
“Yes It´s all gone relatively smoothly."
Advantages of a subsidiary in Denmark?
“If you establish or acquire companies in the countries of your market it makes life very simple."
Advice for other pharmaceutical companies looking at setting up partnerships with Scandinavian companies?
“There´s options here-
1. Contact Business Region Göteborg,
2. Contact us,
3. Do what we did, network and participate in every organization within your branch, in Sweden and overseas if necessary."
Göteborg has a strong reputation within biomedicine, how does this contribute to your business?
“ We have agreements for different projects where Göteborg University cooperates with us in research and development."
If you were doing things again would you do anything different?
“No we are very pleased with how things turned out."
Is there anything you didn't get help with that maybe you should?
“No-we managed mostly by ourselves. "
Did Business Region Göteborg assist you and with what?
“Business Region Göteborg did many tasks one of these involved international projects."
What is your goal?
“Growth,both domestic and international."
What will be the basis of your success?
“We have picked a unique niche and monitor our products carefully patenting where possible. We will continue with hard work and utilizing our international contacts network. We have a huge network of contacts which we have built up dramatically over the years."
Any tips for other companies establishing here?
“You must nurture your contacts. In addition to Jan´s involvement in national and international pharmaceutical organizations, our company works closely with various research institutes and private researchers around the world."
How did your company survive in early days before the product launch?
“We were self-financed all the way."
How is your company adjusting?
“We have grown so much we decided on establishing two divisions within our organization, one called Pharma and the other Medical, Scott Börjeson has recently been installed as manager for Abigo´s Medical sector, with American and international experience. Claes Dahl has been handed the marketing director´s role, Lars-Ove Grell has been named as Sales manager for Sweden. "
Recent Developments?
“We´re recently hired some experienced staff overseeing new divisions within our company."
Jan G. Smith comments: "There is a distinct trend today towards major pharmaceutical companies merging to form global giants - for better or worse. While such a move might give added strength they tend to lose interest in lower volume product areas. This is where the challenge lies - to demonstrate that even in the present industrial climate there is still a place for new companies. Companies that invest in their own products and R&D. Building up a strong, innovative pharmaceutical company is our primary driving force. At Abigo we are well on the way."
Leif Smith comments: "A great deal of our success can be attributed to our highly skilled personnel. While we may be a young company our key personnel have on average 20 years experience in the Swedish pharmaceutical industry. Our workforce also includes the doctors, researchers and other people at universities and institutions who together form an integral part of our expanding research and development network. Nor should we forget the manufacturers, pharmacy personnel and other co-workers. Each person contributes in his or her own particular way to help us build up Abigo."
