Generic and biosimilar medicines manufacturer, Sandoz, last week marked the start of share trading on the SIX Swiss Exchange as an independent company. The new company is included in key SIX market indices and has an investment-grade credit rating. The opening bell-ringing ceremony at SIX headquarters in Zurich marked the successful completion of the 100% spin-off from former parent company Novartis, and the start of trading in Sandoz Group AG shares. The shares are listed on the Swiss Performance Index, the Swiss Leader Index and other relevant Swiss indices; Sandoz American Depositary Receipts will also be traded on the US OTCQX platform. Clint Holland (pictured), Country Manager, Sandoz ANZ, says from today, Sandoz will be better able to meet the needs of “the half a billion patients we serve around the world”. “Our refreshed brand reflects our enduring commitment to healthcare innovation and our dedication to meeting the global healthcare challenge head-on. “Our culture is founded on integrity and inclusion, with the intention that we can all be at our best; living our values, doing what we can to drive business growth, and pioneering access to patients,” Holland added. “The spin-off allows us to operate with greater agility and focus, enabling us to respond swiftly to the evolving needs of our customers and the dynamic healthcare landscape in the Australia and New Zealand market.” CEO Richard Saynor added that as an independent company, Sandoz will be fully enabled to deliver on its “purpose-driven strategy, which targets sustainable leadership in the growing and critical generics and biosimilars industry”. “We strengthen healthcare systems worldwide by delivering over US$17b (A$26.4b) in annual savings in Europe and the US alone and we intend to make an even greater impact going forward.” JG