Catalent targets biologics with Cook Pharmica acquisition

Catalent, the contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) with 30-some locations in the US and Europe, is deepening its investment in biologics manufacuturing with the proposed acquisition of Cook Pharmica. Purchase price is $950 million, with most of the payment up front. Cook Pharmica, privately held, operates a world-class, 875,000 square foot development and manufacturing facility in Bloomington. That facility has capabilities in sterile formulation and fill/finish across liquid and lyophilized vials, prefilled syringes, and cartridges. The site employs 750, most of whom are likely to stay on after the acquisition, expected to close by the end of this year. For the twelve months ended June 30, 2017, Cook Pharmica generated $179 million in revenue.

“The complementary biologics development, biomanufacturing, and fill-finish capabilities of Catalent and Cook Pharmica will provide biopharmaceutical firms with a single, integrated partner supporting a wide range of clinical and commercial needs,” said John Chiminski, Chair and CEO of Catalent. “We are very excited to join forces with the talented Cook Pharmica team in Bloomington, Indiana and plan to invest aggressively there, in our rapidly expanding Madison, Wisconsin facility, and in the rest of the Catalent Biologics network to build a true global leader in the biologics market.”

In biologics, Catalent’s expertise includes cell line engineering, bioconjugate development, analytical services, biomanufacturing, prefilled syringe, and blow/fill/seal technologies. The Madison location offers state-of-the-art biologics development and biomanufacturing; there are fill-finish services in Brussels, Belgium and Limoges, France; SMARTag conjugation technology in Emeryville, CA; and a network of biologics analytical locations. According to analysts’ reports, Catalent generates approximately 14% of its $2.075 billion (FY 2017) revenue in biologics.