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How the Sandoz Family Built a Generic Drug Empire
Description
Lucas and Luna explore how the Sandoz family transformed a tiny Swiss chemical dye company into the world's largest generic drug manufacturer. They trace the story from the founding in 1886, through the creation of Sandoz Pharmaceuticals, the development of the first mass-produced LSD, and the bold 1990s decision to spin off generics as a separate unit. The hosts examine how the family maintained control through a mix of majority voting shares and a Swiss foundation structure, and how Sandoz became the generic arm of Novartis while still carrying the family name. Key figures include founder Alfred Sandoz, his son Edouard, and chemist Albert Hofmann. The episode also covers the 2003 acquisition of the generic business by Novartis and how the Sandoz family exited gracefully while preserving their legacy.