Aptuit to acquire API business from EaglePicher

US drug development service provider, Aptuit has signed a deal to acquire the assets and operations of EaglePicher Pharmaceutical Services (EPPS) head-quartered in Kansas. The move marks a step forward in the Connecticut-based company's plan to build capabilities in active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) development and drug substance manufacturing.

Aptuit says it will invest substantially to expand its API and drug development offering, building state-of-the-art API development scale capabilities in the EaglePicher facilities and in new facilities around the globe.

The deal includes EaglePicher's facilities in Lenexa, Kansas and Harrisonville, Missouri and it will give Aptuit the ability to provide customers with process development and novel route development, pre-clinical drug substance supply, clinical drug substance supply, radio synthesis, niche commercial supply, and technology transfer packages. The current facilities can provide milligram, gram, kilogram, and tonne scale production.

Michael Griffith, ceo of Aptuit, said: "This acquisition represents a significant milestone for Aptuit and differentiates our offering as we seek to engineer a better drug development process. We intend to make significant investments in our new API operation over the next 18 months to upgrade the EPPS Harrisonville facility, extend its range of capabilities, and improve its regulatory profile. Additionally, we will be building a first class lab-based process development and kilo lab capability."

Aptuit offers a suite of drug development services, including consulting expertise, preclinical technologies, analytical chemistries, informatics and information management, and clinical packaging and logistics. Following this acquisition, the company will have 12 facilities globally, complemented by a clinical trial distribution network of 27 supply depots, accessing more than 70 countries worldwide.