Aesica completes European acquisitions
Almost doubles capabilities of the business
UK-based contract pharmaceutical services provider Aesica Pharmaceuticals has completed the acquisition of three manufacturing sites in Germany and Italy from Belgian biopharmaceutical company, UCB.
The acquisition of the plants in Monheim, Zwickau and Pianezza is Aesica’s first acquisition outside the UK and will almost double the capabilities of the business.
The deal comprises a long-term supply agreement between Aesica and UCB and provides scope for Aesica to develop new business streams for the sites. Financial terms were not revealed.
Aesica says the move into Europe will enable it to enhance its injectables and oral liquid dosage capability, as well as introduce hard encapsulation technology to its service portfolio.
The Monheim and Pianezza plants will also bolster Aesica’s packaging capabilities and the company will operate a line dedicated to the Japanese market, which is strategically vital as the company focuses on expansion across Asia.
Dr Robert Hardy, Aesica’s chief executive, expects Europe to be a key market for the company in 2011.
‘We will fully utilise the expertise and knowledge across the current team at each of the sites to facilitate our continued expansion and to achieve our vision of becoming the number one supplier of active pharmaceutical ingredients and formulated products to the pharmaceutical industry,’ he said.
While all staff across the three sites have transferred to Aesica, a new team from the UK has relocated to aid the transition and direct operations at the sites. Simon Clough, who has been with Aesica for more than three years has been appointed managing director, Formulated Products Business Unit and will lead the new team from his base at the Monheim site.
Aesica was formed in September 2004 through a management buyout of a former BASF site in Cramlington, Northumberland, backed by private equity firm LDC.