Opella Expands Enterogermina Production Line in State of Mexico

Opella has inaugurated a new Enterogermina production line at its facility in Ocoyoacac, State of Mexico, following a MX$1.2 billion investment, expanding annual capacity by 200 million liquid probiotic minibottles. The project is part of a broader MX$2.3 billion industrial investment plan that will increase the share of Opella products manufactured locally for the Mexican market from 60% to 80%.

Opella inaugurated a new production line for Enterogermina at its Ocoyoacac, State of Mexico facility. Backed by a MX$1.2 billion (US$69 million) investment, the expansion increases production capacity while reinforcing the country's role in Opella's regional and global manufacturing strategy.

The new line will add annual capacity to produce 200 million liquid Enterogermina minibottles. Beyond increasing output, the project includes the transfer of manufacturing technology and production expertise to Mexico, allowing the Ocoyoacac plant to manufacture both the active pharmaceutical ingredient and finished product under international quality standards.

Luis Soares, General Manager, Opella Mexico, says the investment reflects the company's broader objective of expanding access to self-care products while strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities. "Our purpose at Opella is to put health in the hands of more people through trusted products such as Enterogermina and clear, accessible information. This production line significantly strengthens our manufacturing and innovation capabilities to bring effective self-care solutions to more families in Mexico and other countries," says Soares.

The investment represents the largest component of Opella's MX$2.3 billion industrial expansion plan announced for Mexico. As the new production line gradually enters operation following regulatory validation and approvals, the company expects locally manufactured products to account for 80% of the portfolio supplied to the domestic market, compared to the current 60%.

The expansion will also increase export capacity to other Latin American markets.

Mexico Expands Its Role in Opella's Global Manufacturing Network

For Opella, the investment extends beyond additional production volume. The Ocoyoacac facility will evolve from serving primarily regional demand into a qualified global backup manufacturing site that complements the company's Enterogermina production facility in Origgio, Italy.

According to the company, the expansion supports its broader manufacturing strategy centered on regionalized production. Across its global operations, Opella manufactures approximately 80% of its products within the same regions where they are consumed, reducing supply chain complexity while improving responsiveness to local markets.

"This new production line, together with our investment plans in the country, demonstrates that Opella has confidence in Mexico, its talent and its capabilities to manufacture advanced pharmaceutical products,” says Rafik Amrane, Global Head of Manufacturing and Supply, Opella. “Mexico is a key platform within our global network, and this expansion confirms its importance for the future growth of our company."

The Ocoyoacac site has operated for 32 years and employs approximately 280 people. It currently manufactures and packages 6.69 billion units annually across brands including Allegra, Histiacil, Aderogyl, and Buscapina.

Rather than constructing an entirely new facility, Opella developed the Enterogermina expansion by converting approximately 3,000m2 of existing industrial space. The project integrates Blow-Fill-Seal manufacturing technology, which combines container formation, filling, and sealing into a single automated process commonly used for sterile pharmaceutical products.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by federal and state authorities, representatives of the French diplomatic corps in Mexico and industry stakeholders, underscoring the project's industrial significance. French Ambassador to Mexico Delphine Borione says the investment aligns with Mexico's broader industrial development objectives while supporting employment and pharmaceutical manufacturing. "This investment reflects a shared vision with the priorities of Plan Mexico: strengthening industrial capabilities, promoting innovation and consolidating the healthcare sector as an engine of development. It will contribute to the creation of 50 direct jobs and 450 indirect jobs while strengthening the industrial ecosystem of the State of Mexico,” says Borione.

Advanced Manufacturing Supports Regional Growth

The investment also reflects growing demand for Enterogermina across Latin America. According to Opella, the region represented 35% of the product's global volume in 2023 and is projected to reach 39% by 2027, making local production increasingly important for regional supply.

Enterogermina is designed to restore intestinal microbiome balance by treating dysbiosis. The product uses Bacillus clausii spores derived from an original strain identified in 1958 and employs the company's Intelli-spores technology, which allows the probiotic to survive gastric acids before activating in the intestine.

According to Opella, the spores are resistant to 97% of antibiotics, allowing simultaneous administration during antibiotic treatments while helping reduce treatment-related gastrointestinal side effects. The formulation also reflects broader trends in consumer healthcare products, containing only purified water and probiotic spores without lactose, gluten, sugar, or common allergens. Because it does not require refrigeration, the product can be distributed through conventional supply chains, supporting broader market availability.

While product innovation remains a competitive differentiator, the company also emphasizes manufacturing sustainability as part of the Ocoyoacac site's long-term development. The facility operates using 100% renewable electricity sourced from wind power alongside on-site solar generation supported by 270 solar panels.

Since 2019, the plant has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 80% and water consumption by 39%. It has also eliminated waste sent to landfills while recycling 94% of its cardboard materials. These initiatives align with Opella's global sustainability commitments following its B Corp certification and reflect the company's strategy of combining industrial expansion with environmental performance.

Through technology transfer, expanded manufacturing capacity, and greater integration into global supply chains, the Ocoyoacac facility strengthens Mexico's position within advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing while supporting the continued growth of healthcare production across Latin America.