Partner Article

Aesica makes European acquisitions

A pharmaceuticals firm on Tyneside yesterday announced the acquisition of three manufacturing sites in Germany and Italy.

The purchase of the European sites in Monheim, Zwickau and Pianezza from biopharma company UCB is part of the firm’s goal to enhance its service offering to the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

It is the company’s first acquisition outside the UK and will almost double the capabilities of the business.

Dr. Robert Hardy, Chief Executive, Aesica, said: “The acquisition of the three UCB manufacturing sites is strategically crucial for our business as we extend and enhance our current offering and establish a presence in Europe.

“By acquiring the sites in Europe we have not only almost doubled our workforce but we have gained new technological capability, which will further enhance and strengthen our unique service proposition.”

The firm said the arrangement would be particularly important as it represents the beginning of a strategic partnership with UCB, which comprises a long-term supply agreement between both companies, providing a strong platform for Aesica to develop new business streams for the sites.

He added: “We believe Europe will be a key market for us in 2011 and to have secured such high profile sites as well as agreeing a long-term strategic partnership to supply UCB, is testament to our commitment to being recognised as a leader in the industry.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .