6 reasons to establish
A pharma production in odense
Strategic Location – Gateway to Nordics
Denmark boasts one of the world’s strongest life science clusters, powered by close public-private collaboration. Odense connects a dynamic ecosystem with research, education, and regulatory expertise.
Automation & Robotics
Secure and scale your production. Odense is Europe’s robotics capital, enabling advanced automation for pharma fill & finish. Innovate faster, reduce risk, and future-proof your operations.
Business-Friendly Framework
Denmark ranks among the easiest and safest places to do business—thanks to political stability, zero corruption, and transparent regulations.
Streamlined Site Selection & Site Readiness
Odense offers ready-to-build sites designed for pharma fill & finish productions. With predictable permitting and fast-track processes, you move from decision to production.
Talent & Workforce
Powered by SDU, Odense delivers a steady pipeline of QA specialists trained for modern fill & finish standards. Your operations stay compliant, efficient, and future-proof from day one.
Setting Up Your Pharma Operations
One point of contact. Clear timelines. Fast permits. In Odense, Erhvervskontakten coordinates all authorities from day one, making site selection effortless and eliminating surprises
Novo Nordisk invests 8.5 billion Danish kroner in new production facility
Odense is now a major part of the growth story of Novo Nordisk, with the announcement of a major capital project to expand capacity in Denmark. The production facility in Odense is designed to accommodate multiple product types within the rare disease area, such as haemophilia and the 8.5 billion Danish kroner ($1.2 billion) investment is expected to create 400 permanent jobs with an additional 1000 FTE as part of the construction phase.
want to establish a business in odense?
Your project, our priority – from first call to last permit.
Through Business Contact Odense, you have one point of entry and a dedicated team ensuring fast, predictable permitting when you want to establish a business in Odense.
- One dedicated contact – No bureaucracy, just answers.
- Fast response times – Inquiries within 24 hours, plans in 5 days.
- Coordinated case handling – All authorities aligned for a smooth process.
- Transparency and follow-up – No surprises, only progress.
pharma in odense is powered by QA's talent
Odense’s pharma ecosystem is built on quality. SDU (University of Southern Denmark) delivers a steady pipeline of QA specialists trained for GMP and pharma standards, while UCL adds industry-ready talent. Choosing Odense means securing expertise that keeps your fill-finish operations compliant, efficient, and future-ready.
- SDU offers programs tailored to pharma quality assurance needs.
- A steady flow of graduates ready to join your operations.
- Graduates trained for compliance, GMP, and advanced pharma processes.
- Strong ties between academia and industry for ongoing innovation.
A Life Science Ecosystem Built for Growth
In Odense you’ll find a diverse network of pharma, MedTech, biotech and biosolution companies supported by a collaborative ecosystem as:
- University of Southern Denmark and University College Lillebælt deliver specialized programs that ensure a steady pipeline of QA and life science talent.
- Life science clusters and partners
- Business development, start-up and co-creation hubs
- Strong public-private partnerships
- Financing
we tailor our support to your scientific reality
Medtech
READ MORE
Biotech
READ MORE
Biosolutions
READ MORE
Let’s get in touch
Lone Krogsbøll
Investment Manager - Life Science
I help foreign companies in the biotech and life science industry to establish in Odense and connect them to relevant business partners and opportunities here. My background is in health tech, but I’ve focused on broader life science sectors since 2018.
+45 5177 7344
loak@odense.dk
Connect
Pernille Elena Stage
Investment Manager – Life Science
I work to attract and support international life science companies exploring Odense as a place to grow. With a background in biotech and experience in business development, branding, and communication, I help companies connect with local partners, research environments, and the opportunities that make Odense an emerging hub for life science innovation.
If you’re curious about what Odense can offer your company or want to explore potential collaborations, I’d be happy to start the conversation
+45 6094 4636
pesta@odense.dk
Connect
Smooth Transitions for Global Talent
Relocating your business is more than bricks and mortar. It’s about people. International House Odense (IHO) ensures your international employees and their families feel at home from day one.
From residence permits and housing to cultural integration and networking, IHO provides a one-stop service that removes complexity and accelerates onboarding. When you invest in Odense, we make sure your talent thrives—because their success is your success.
Other companies developed in odense
Celvivo
As part of the VOLTA-E!3908 project, CelVivo is advancing next-generation solutions for drug discovery and disease modeling. In 2024, the project secured a €2.3 million Eurostars grant, underscoring strong international confidence in its innovation. CelVivo’s technology delivers physiologically relevant models that accelerate research and reduce development risk.
orifarm
Orifarm Group is a family-owned pharmaceutical company headquartered in Odense with 2,300 employees in 16 countries. They ensure essential medicines reach patients at affordable prices. We import, produce, repackage, and distribute pharmaceuticals and vitamins, and are Europe’s largest parallel importer of pharmaceuticals and Denmark’s largest supplier of medicines.
Evosep
In 2023, the company secured a $40 million investment from Novo Holdings to accelerate clinical proteomics.
Recently, Nordic Capital became the majority owner, marking a new phase of global growth and innovation.
This partnership strengthens Evosep’s mission to make LC-MS-based proteomics more accessible and standardized.
Odense Expands Its Life Science Hub
Odense is home to a strong Life Science cluster, with leading companies in robotics and welfare technology. This sector is growing rapidly in Denmark, and Odense is at the forefront.
- Expand industrial zones near existing clusters
- Ensure key infrastructure for businesses
- Streamline permits with fast-track processes
- Foster collaboration between companies, municipalities, and private actors
FAQ: Pharma production in Odense
Why choose Odense for pharma manufacturing?
Odense combines Denmark’s world-class life science reputation with local advantages that matter to investors. The city offers strong infrastructure, ready-to-build sites, and advanced logistics for global distribution. A collaborative ecosystem connects pharma companies with SDU and UCL—leading educational institutions delivering specialized QA and life science talent—alongside clusters, business development agencies, and green energy initiatives. This synergy makes Odense the ideal base for scaling your fill-finish operations in Northern Europe.
How do you set up your pharma business in Odense?
Setting up your pharma operations in Odense is fast and predictable. Through Erhvervskontakten, you get a single point of entry to the municipality, ensuring streamlined permitting and coordinated case handling. Odense offers ready-to-build sites tailored for fill-finish production, supported by advanced infrastructure and green energy solutions. Combined with Denmark’s pro-business framework and Odense’s collaborative life science ecosystem, you can move from decision to production without delays.
How does Odense support sustainable pharma production?
Odense is committed to helping pharma manufacturers meet ambitious sustainability goals. Local initiatives focus on electrification of production facilities, renewable energy integration, and circular economy solutions that reduce waste and carbon footprint. Combined with Denmark’s strong green energy infrastructure, Odense offers a future-proof environment for fill-finish operations and life science investments in Northern Europe.
Which companies and competencies are available in Odense?
Odense is home to a dynamic life science ecosystem featuring innovative pharma and biotech companies, specialized service providers, and strong research institutions. The city offers expertise in sterile manufacturing, automation, and quality assurance—supported by SDU (University of Southern Denmark) and UCL (University College Lillebælt), which deliver industry-ready talent. Combined with clusters and business development agencies, Odense provides the competencies investors need to scale fill-finish operations in Northern Europe.
How do you secure QA talent for pharma production in Odense?
Quality Assurance (QA) is critical for compliance and GMP standards in pharma manufacturing. In Odense, you gain direct access to a strong pipeline of QA specialists through SDU (University of Southern Denmark) and UCL (University College Lillebælt), which offer dedicated programs tailored to life science and pharma needs. Combined with a collaborative ecosystem and industry partnerships, Odense ensures your fill-finish operations meet the highest quality standards from day one.
What is “fill-finish” in biopharma?
Fill-finish is the critical final stage in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, where sterile drug products are precisely filled into vials, syringes, or cartridges and sealed under strict GMP and quality standards. This process ensures product safety and integrity before distribution. In Northern Europe, Odense offers ideal conditions for fill-finish operations, combining advanced automation expertise, a strong life science ecosystem, and fast permitting for pharma production facilities.
What are the main steps in a fill-finish process?
The fill-finish process in biopharma manufacturing involves several critical steps to ensure product safety and compliance. Typical stages include formulation of the drug product, sterile filtration to remove contaminants, precise filling into vials or syringes, sealing under GMP standards, visual and automated inspection, and secure packaging for distribution. In Northern Europe, Odense offers ideal conditions for these steps, combining advanced automation expertise, a strong QA talent pipeline from SDU and UCL, and fast permitting for pharma facilities.
How does Odense ensure a smooth transition for international employees?
Relocating your pharma business to Odense means moving people, not just operations. International House Odense (IHO) provides a one-stop service for international employees and their families, making the transition seamless. From residence permits and housing assistance to cultural integration and networking, IHO helps your talent settle quickly and thrive—reducing risk and accelerating productivity. This support is a key part of Odense’s investor-friendly ecosystem.
How is Odense integrated into the global pharma supply chain?
Odense plays a strategic role in the global pharma supply chain by connecting advanced fill-finish operations with world-class logistics and green energy infrastructure. The city’s ecosystem includes specialized service providers, automation experts, and strong partnerships with clusters and research institutions, ensuring compliance and efficiency at every stage. With Denmark’s reputation for reliability and Odense’s fast permitting and ready-to-build sites, your production becomes a seamless part of international distribution networks.
Sign up to our newsletter and we will keep you posted
Latest News from the City of Odense
From Pedestrian Street to Hospital Corridor: Tic-Tac-Toe Robot Gives Children a Break from Illness
With a robotic arm, nine squares, and a strong partnership between public and private actors, children at Odense University Hospital (OUH) are now given the chance to forget about illness for a moment and challenge the hospital’s newest “player” to a game of tic-tac-toe.
CrossingBio: The Latest SDU Spinout Aiming to Transform Liver Fibrosis Treatment
CrossingBio is the newest addition to the growing portfolio of life science spinouts from the University of Southern Denmark (SDU). The company is developing a new therapeutic approach for liver fibrosis, a condition affecting millions of people worldwide and still difficult to treat effectively.
Odense takes the lead: 14 Million DKK to Boost Competencies in the Life Science Sector
With a fresh injection of 14 million DKK UCL University College is set to transform Denmark’s life science sector by placing Odense firmly on the map as the nation’s innovation powerhouse. As the coordinating hub for a nationwide upskilling initiative, Odense is sending a clear signal to international investors: this is where the future of life science is being shaped.