PHILADELPHIA, PA — PCI Pharma Services has finalized the acquisition of Ajinomoto Althea, Inc. (Althea), a U.S.-based sterile fill-finish contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) and subsidiary of Japan’s Ajinomoto Co., Inc. The acquisition is central to PCI’s ongoing multi-year investment strategy aimed at enhancing its pharmaceutical manufacturing and delivery capabilities across the United States and Europe.
Althea, headquartered in San Diego, adds advanced capabilities to PCI’s portfolio, including sterile fill-finish operations specializing in oligonucleotides, peptides, and biologics such as nanoparticles, mRNA, monoclonal antibodies, and other advanced therapies. The acquisition also enables PCI’s entry into the oncology market through high potent vial filling with lyophilization, cementing its position as one of the few U.S.-based CDMOs capable of handling antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).
The integration of Althea enhances PCI’s manufacturing network and complements its existing facilities, such as its pharmaceutical development lab in Bedford, New Hampshire. This state-of-the-art site, which was purpose-built with twin lyophilizers and cutting-edge isolator technology, will be GMP ready this summer.
Salim Haffar, CEO of PCI Pharma Services, stated, “Our pharma customers and the healthcare personnel and patients they serve are the heartbeat behind each stride we’ve made throughout this ambitious investment plan in sterile fill-finish and advanced drug delivery solutions. Concerning this latest step, Ajinomoto Althea enjoys a longstanding, well-earned reputation for producing novel biologics in various injectable formats. Welcoming Althea’s talented professionals into the PCI family strengthens our commitment to turnkey customer partnerships and, ultimately, our dedication to helping improve patient outcomes through life-changing therapies.”
The acquisition is part of PCI’s broader $365 million investment in infrastructure expansion. Projects in the U.S. include two large-scale facilities at PCI’s Rockford, Illinois campus, designed to support clinical- and commercial-scale drug-device combination (DDC) packaging, particularly prefilled syringes, autoinjectors, and pen-cartridge systems. European expansions include a recently acquired packaging facility in Dundalk, Ireland, and an ongoing $25 million project at PCI’s Leon, Spain facility to introduce high-speed syringe filling lines with isolator technology.
PCI’s investments aim to streamline the full lifecycle of advanced drug delivery systems, from clinical trial support to product launch and commercialization. By integrating Althea’s capabilities, PCI strengthens its position as a leader in the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector, offering scalable and customized solutions to meet the evolving needs of patients and healthcare providers worldwide.
With the Althea acquisition, PCI is poised to deliver cutting-edge innovations that align with its goal of driving advancements in healthcare and improving global patient outcomes.
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