Listen to the audio version of this article (generated by AI).
Listen to the audio version of this article (generated by AI).
The BBJ spoke with chairman and CEO Dr. Ferenc Jójárt about the company’s origins, its mission, and its future.
BBJ: How did the story of Goodwill Pharma begin?
Ferenc Jójárt: We started in 1997 as a family-owned business on the Hungarian pharmaceutical market, but from the outset, our goal was to create products and services that provide genuine value for both patients and physicians. Over the course of more than two decades, we gradually built up a stable, independent company that has been listed on the Budapest Stock Exchange since 2022, making us one of only three pharmaceutical players on the bourse.
BBJ: Where does the company stand today in terms of its international presence?
FJ: We operate several subsidiaries across the region, including Serbia, where we have been active since 2003. Through these subsidiaries, our products are available in 12 countries, ensuring a strong presence across Central and Eastern Europe. We export and distribute extensively to Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia. Additionally, our subsidiaries in Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia play a key role in our regional footprint.
As part of our international expansion, we have also entered new markets in Greece, Georgia, Mongolia, and the United States. Our regional headquarters is located in Szeged (175 km southeast of Budapest by road), where our logistics hub and manufacturing facilities are based. These sites are continuously being developed to support our export and growth strategy. Recent investments and capacity expansions all serve the purpose of enabling us to expand even more intensively into international markets in the coming years.
BBJ: What kind of manufacturing capacity do you have?
FJ: We are proud to have built factories in both Hungary and Serbia, where we are prepared to manufacture pharmaceuticals as well as dietary supplements. At our Szeged site, we established a GMP-certified facility, which allows us to manufacture in compliance with the highest international standards. In recent years, we have significantly expanded both our warehouse and production capacity, enabling us to serve domestic and international markets at a much higher volume.
I would highlight that Goodwill Pharma not only produces its own products but also serves as an outsourcing partner for several major pharmaceutical players. Among our key partners is Novartis. This collaboration is a tremendous recognition for us, proving that global companies also rely on Szeged’s knowledge and manufacturing capacity.
BBJ: What are your plans for the future?
FJ: We aim to strengthen our international presence further and to build a product portfolio that contributes to the health of patients over the long term. We place strong emphasis on research and development, the introduction of state-of-the-art technologies, and ensuring that we remain flexible in responding to the changing needs of the healthcare sector.
BBJ: The famous name of the Nobel laureate Albert Szent-Györgyi is closely associated with your company. Why is this important to you?
FJ: Our roots in Szeged naturally tie us to Albert Szent-Györgyi, the discoverer of Vitamin C. His spirit and humanist way of thinking continue to inspire us to this day. Not only does one of our flagship product families bear his name, but we also established the Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical Prize, which each year honors physicians who demonstrate exceptional professional and human dedication. This award serves both as a tribute to Hungarian scientific heritage and as an example for future generations.
BBJ: In which directions is your product portfolio expanding?
FJ: Our portfolio includes prescription medicines, dietary supplements, and products for special nutritional needs. In recent years, we have introduced innovative products such as Fortacell Immuno+, which provides advanced daily support for health preservation.
A key focus area for us is the treatment of dry eye disease, where we have pioneered the development of Lacrimax, an oral formulation, and the EyeJuice eye drop family. Together, these represent a unique portfolio that opens new horizons in restoring eye comfort and improving patients’ quality of life.
In parallel, we signed an agreement with the Chinese company Shenzhen Techdow Pharmaceutical for the distribution of a biosimilar enoxaparin product, a strategic partnership that further strengthens our international presence. In addition, we are launching several in- and out-licensing collaborations across Europe, while our regulatory approval procedures are already underway in Germany, Italy, and Austria.
BBJ: What role does corporate social responsibility play in the company’s life?
FJ: Goodwill Pharma has always placed great importance on supporting communities, whether that means healthcare institutions, disadvantaged children, or sports associations. We believe that sport is one of the keys to a healthy life, which is why we have been long-term supporters of the Goodwill Pharma Stilaxx Szeged ice hockey team, which recently won a silver medal in the Andersen League.
As of July 1, we have also become the title sponsor of Szeged’s water polo teams, which now compete under the name SZVE Goodwill Pharma Fortacell. In the most recent OB I BENU Cup, our teams achieved strong results, and our goal is to further strengthen their position in Hungarian water polo in the years ahead. This partnership clearly reflects our long-term commitment to youth development, health awareness, and the support of community sports, values that are deeply embedded in Goodwill Pharma’s philosophy.
BBJ: What message would you like to send to investors and partners, in closing?
FJ: Goodwill Pharma is an independent pharmaceutical company built on solid foundations, offering sustainable and predictable growth. To our investors, I can promise that every decision we make is guided by sustainability, transparency, and continuous innovation. We firmly believe that Hungarian pharmaceutical expertise, combined with international collaborations, will secure our company’s future. For me, Goodwill Pharma is not just a business, but a mission: to create value for patients, physicians, and partners alike.
This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of September 19, 2025.
Producing journalism that is worthy of the name is a costly business. For over 30 years, the publishers, editors and reporters of the Budapest Business Journal have striven to bring you business news that works, information that you can trust, that is factual, accurate and presented without fear or favor.Newspaper organizations across the globe have struggled to find a business model that allows them to continue to excel, without compromising their ability to perform. Most recently, some have experimented with the idea of involving their most important stakeholders, their readers.
We would like to offer that same opportunity to our readers. We would like to invite you to help us deliver the quality business journalism you require. Hit our Support the BBJ button and you can choose the how much and how often you send us your contributions.
