Catalent has announced it completed the acquisition of Cook Pharmica, an integrated provider of drug substances, product manufacturing, and related services.
The acquisition of this Indiana-based biologics contract development and manufacturing organisation substantially strengthens Catalent’s position in biologics development and analytical services, as well as manufacturing and finished product supply.
The company’s complementary capabilities and expertise will help customers accelerate biologic drug development programmes and bring better treatments to patients worldwide.
Catalent intends to maximise the benefits of the acquisition through the reorganisation of its operations to create two new dedicated business units that will sharpen the focus on growth, performance and customers’ needs.
First, recognising the company’s substantially increased biopharmaceutical and fill-finish capabilities and the importance of the rapidly growing area of biologics, Catalent has created a business unit focused on biologics and specialty drug delivery, to be led by Barry Littlejohns as president.
Barry will oversee eight Catalent facilities focused on biologics development, manufacturing, analytical and sterile fill-finish, and Catalent’s respiratory and ophthalmic business platforms. The former president of Cook Pharmica Tedd Green will now serve as senior vice-president.
Mr. Littlejohns has been with Catalent for 26 years, initially with its predecessor RP Scherer, and most recently served as president of the company’s former drug delivery solutions business unit.
Catalent has reorganised the remainder of its former drug delivery solutions business into a newly formed oral drug Ddelivery business unit, to be led by Jonathan Arnold as president.
Oral drug delivery will bring together Catalent’s expertise and capabilities in advanced delivery technologies and development solutions, including formulation and analytical development, bioavailability enhancement including micronisation, hot melt extrusion and spray dry technologies, controlled release, Zydis® orally disintegrating tablet technology, and commercial supply across nine facilities.
Mr. Arnold has worked for leading life science organizations for over 23 years. These include RP Scherer, Patheon, and Catalent, where he has held senior business leadership roles in Europe and the U.S. For the past 6-years he has served as Vice President and General Manager for Catalent’s Drug Delivery Solutions business unit.
Chair and CEO of Catalent John Chiminski said: “The establishment of these focused business units reflects the rapid growth we are seeing across key markets, particularly for biologics and differentiated dosage forms.
“We have an exciting strategic plan to accelerate our portfolio of capabilities, as evidenced by the recent growth investments we have made, including multi-million-dollar site expansions and the newly completed acquisition of Cook Pharmica. We are confident that the experience and expertise of Barry, Jonathan, and Tedd will provide valuable leadership as we move forward in this exciting phase of our development.”