Sustainable business
To not jeopardize our operations, it is essential that we integrate environmental, economic, and social sustainability at all levels of our operations. We should be driven by an ambition to constantly improve our processes, quality systems, and take measures to prevent negative impacts from our operations. That we comply with current legislation and show responsibility, is our Sustainable business.
Environmental and climate impact
BioArctic applies the precautionary principle to reduce our impact on the environment and climate. Due to the company’s size and main research focus, BioArctic’s carbon footprint is relatively limited compared to the pharmaceutical industry as a whole. Greenhouse gas emissions are caused by local operations, business trips, and purchased services. A comprehensive emissions mapping is underway to understand the extent and is expected to be completed in conjunction with the reporting year 2024.
The impact of medicines on the environment is an area that is closely monitored. BioArctic’s medicines and drug candidates consist only of biological preparations and, according to the Swedish Medical Products Agency’s guidelines for environmental risk assessment, Environmental Risk Assessment of pharmaceuticals, these substances are considered to have a negligible negative environmental impact and are exempt from the requirements for risk assessment.
The company’s environmental management system is an integrated part of the pharmaceutical framework and is based on, but is not certified, according to the ISO 14001 standard. Drug research is conducted in BioArctic’s premises in Stockholm and the operation takes place according to permits from the relevant authorities. All handling of chemicals is carefully described in work instructions and monitored from a risk perspective.
Laboratory work with biological materials is associated with the consumption of single-use materials made of non-recycled plastic. BioArctic is working continuously to increase the proportion of recycled plastic and reduce the use of single-use plastic in operations and recycle what is possible. All waste is sorted and handled to be recycled or incinerated for energy production.
Partnerships and suppliers
BioArctic has a long-term partnership with Eisai for the development and commercialization of drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Eisai is responsible for clinical development, application for marketing authorization, and commercialization of the product for Alzheimer’s disease. We are proud of Eisai’s solid sustainability work.
Like large parts of the pharmaceutical industry, BioArctic uses contract manufacturers (CDMO) and consulting companies (CRO). BioArctic has as a principle to prioritize quality and all CDMO and CRO used are currently located in Western Europe and the United States. Extensive work is done when selecting partners where great importance is attached to cooperation, quality, and ethics. It is clearly stated in BioArctic’s management system that responsibility can never be delegated and there is systematic supplier follow-up for those who work with our drugs.
To clarify expectations of our partners, the company has developed a Code of Conduct for Suppliers. Within sustainability, there is still no systematic follow-up, but work has begun to have one in place in 2024.
Compliance
BioArctic’s Code of Conduct clarifies the company’s zero tolerance for corruption and bribery. The company encourages its employees to report inappropriate behavior to managers or HR and, in addition to an open conversation climate, the company has a whistleblowing service.
BioArctic believes that it is important to contribute to research and development. As a member of national industry associations such as the Swedish Pharmaceutical Industry Association (LIF), BioArctic is committed to following and upholding the EFPIA Disclosure Code, a set of guiding principles where pharmaceutical companies publicly publish value transfers to healthcare professionals and healthcare organizations. Reporting of value transfers is done annually on Lif’s website. We also follow the industry’s voluntary ethical regulations for information and marketing of medicines and regularly train our employees in the area.
BioArctic values the personal privacy of its employees, and it is also of the utmost importance that we handle all personal data in a correct way.