Orion Corporation is a Finnish pharmaceutical company whose shares are listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange . In addition to its Espoo headquarters, Orion has production and research operations in Kuopio , Oulu , Hanko , Salo and Turku .

Pharmaceuticals 

In its pharmaceutical business, Orion researches, develops, manufactures and markets human and veterinary medicines as well as the active ingredients of medicines. The pharmaceutical business accounts for about 95% of Orion’s net sales. A significant part of the turnover consists of pharmaceutical inventions resulting from the company’s own research. 

Orion’s Pharmaceuticals business consists of four business units: Originating Medicines (patent-protected prescription drugs), Specialty Products (off-patent prescription drugs and self-care products), Veterinary Medicines (medicines for pets and production animals) and Fermion (active pharmaceutical ingredients).

Orion develops and produces originator drugs for both human and animal use. The Proprietary Medicines business unit is responsible for Orion’s patented proprietary medicines for human use. Proprietary Medicines is Orion’s largest business unit in the pharmaceutical business. The activities of the originator drugs are divided into three therapeutic areas: central nervous system diseases, cancer diseases and intensive care, and lung drugs developed for the Easyhaler device.

The Specialty Products business unit’s product portfolio includes a selection of approximately 300 products of generic prescription drugs and self-care products for primary care. Orion sells both products developed and manufactured by itself and those developed by its partners. Orion has developed most of its prescription drugs and self-care products and manufactures most of its product range itself. Well-known products include Burana, Aqualan base creams and Multivita vitamins.

Research and development 

Orion spends on average about 15% of its net sales on pharmaceutical research and development. Orion’s pharmaceutical research activities focus on early-stage studies, ie so-called preclinical studies and the first and second clinical stages.

Orion’s R&D conducts research in all of Orion’s therapeutic areas:

• central nervous system drugs
• anticancer and intensive care drugs
• inhaled drugs (Easyhaler)

In addition, research is underway on veterinary and concomitant medications.

Orion’s key clinical development projects 

• Darolutamide (Nubeqa), an antiandrogen used to treat prostate cancer in men
• ODM-109, administered orally administered levosimendan ALS disease treatment
• Anticancer drugs: ODM-203 (FGFR + VEGFR inhibitor), ODM-207 (BET protein inhibitor), ODM-208 and ODM-209 (CYP11A1 inhibitors)