PCI Pharma Services to Acquire US-Based Aseptic Fill-Finish CDMO Ajinomoto Althea: Strengthening Leadership in Biopharma Manufacturing
PCI Pharma Services, a premier global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), has announced its acquisition of Ajinomoto Althea, Inc. (Althea), a prominent US-based sterile fill-finish CDMO and a 100% subsidiary of the Japan-based Ajinomoto Co., Inc. Scheduled for completion in May 2025, this acquisition represents a significant milestone for PCI, marking the company’s first-ever North American manufacturing location for prefilled syringes and cartridges. Furthermore, the acquisition expands PCI’s capabilities with cutting-edge isolator technology for these formats, along with the addition of high-potent manufacturing capabilities that are suitable for the production of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).
The acquisition of Althea bolsters PCI’s already robust suite of services, enhancing its capabilities in injectable drug products and complementing the company’s global sterile fill-finish expertise. This strategic move underscores PCI’s continued commitment to advancing drug delivery solutions and solidifies its leadership position in the ever-evolving biologics sector. As the demand for more sophisticated biologic therapies continues to rise, this acquisition positions PCI as a key player in the development and manufacturing of these life-changing therapies.
Enhancing PCI’s Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Footprint
With its extensive experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, PCI has long been known for its advanced manufacturing capabilities. The addition of Althea’s clinical and commercial-stage services further enhances PCI’s global sterile fill-finish capabilities, making PCI an even more formidable partner for biopharma companies. Althea’s deep knowledge in scalable, custom oligonucleotide and peptide manufacturing complements PCI’s existing expertise in complex formulations and lyophilization. This combination allows PCI to expand its services to include a broader range of injectables such as nanoparticles, mRNA, monoclonal antibodies (MABs), proteins, and other biologics.
As a result of the acquisition, PCI can now offer a comprehensive array of drug delivery formats, including vials, bottles, prefilled syringes, and autoinjectors. This increase in capacity and capability positions PCI as a unique, end-to-end solution provider for companies looking to bring innovative therapies to market faster and more efficiently. The ability to manufacture high-potent drugs such as ADCs is a key differentiator for PCI, particularly as ADCs continue to emerge as one of the most promising treatment modalities for oncology patients.
Meeting the Growing Demand for ADCs
One of the most significant developments in the biopharma industry over the past decade has been the emergence of ADCs, which combine the targeted delivery of cancer therapies with the potency of traditional chemotherapies. ADCs are increasingly seen as a transformative treatment for a variety of cancers, offering the potential for more effective, less toxic therapies.
Through its acquisition of Althea, PCI gains access to high-potent vial filling with lyophilization, a capability that few US-based CDMOs possess. This addition allows PCI to cater to the specialized needs of oncology drug developers by providing manufacturing solutions that meet the unique challenges of ADC production. PCI’s deep expertise in handling high-potent molecules, combined with its advanced manufacturing infrastructure, ensures that the company is well-positioned to support the growing demand for ADCs.
As part of its long-term strategy to become a leader in biologics development and manufacturing, PCI has made substantial investments in the necessary technology and capacity to meet the challenges posed by these complex therapies. The acquisition of Althea represents a critical piece of this strategy, strengthening PCI’s ability to serve clients in the rapidly expanding oncology space.
Expanding Leadership in Drug Delivery Systems
Beyond its advanced capabilities in biologics manufacturing, PCI is also a recognized leader in drug delivery systems and drug-device combination products. The addition of Althea’s assets significantly enhances PCI’s position in these areas. With a strong portfolio in final device assembly and packaging across Europe and North America, PCI can now offer an even more integrated suite of services for its clients. This acquisition strengthens PCI’s global leadership in drug-device combination products, which are increasingly important in the delivery of biologic and complex therapies.
Althea’s San Diego campus, a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, will also be a key addition to PCI’s network. This facility not only strengthens PCI’s US West Coast presence but also increases the company’s manufacturing footprint in one of the most biopharma-rich regions in the world. The San Diego site will complement PCI’s existing clinical trial services and early-phase robotic sterile fill-finish capabilities, creating a flexible, scalable manufacturing complex that is ideally positioned to serve the needs of emerging biopharma companies.
A Strategic Investment in Patient-Centric Solutions
Salim Haffar, CEO of PCI Pharma Services, emphasized that the acquisition of Althea is a crucial step in PCI’s ongoing mission to support the needs of its customers in bringing life-changing therapies to patients worldwide. He noted that PCI’s strategy has always been to make targeted investments that expand its capabilities and capacity in areas of high demand. With Althea’s addition to PCI’s portfolio, the company can now offer even more comprehensive, integrated solutions for a wide range of drug delivery modalities, including ADCs.
“Our commitment to providing our customers with the support they need to bring transformative therapies to market is reflected in our continued investment in the sterile fill-finish category,” said Haffar. “The integration of Althea’s expertise and facilities enhances our ability to offer comprehensive end-to-end solutions, from clinical trial services to advanced drug delivery and packaging. We look forward to working alongside our clients to deliver the next generation of life-changing therapies.”
A Global Network with Unmatched Expertise
PCI Pharma Services has long been a global leader in the contract development and manufacturing space, with over five decades of experience in delivering life-changing therapies. The company operates 30 sites across seven countries—Australia, Canada, the US, Ireland, Wales, Germany, and Spain—employing over 7,000 people dedicated to improving patients’ lives through the development and manufacturing of innovative therapies.
Through continuous investment in cutting-edge technology and facilities, PCI is able to meet the ever-changing needs of the global drug development landscape. PCI’s customers rely on the company as a trusted extension of their own business, benefiting from PCI’s collaborative approach to drug development, manufacturing, and commercialization. This partnership model has allowed PCI to successfully launch more than 90 products each year, accelerating the time-to-market for its clients and increasing the likelihood of commercial success.
The addition of Althea to PCI’s portfolio further enhances the company’s ability to support clients throughout the entire product life cycle. PCI’s integrated services span the spectrum of drug development—from initial formulation and manufacturing to clinical trial support and final commercialization. The acquisition of Althea strengthens PCI Pharma ability to serve as a one-stop-shop for biopharma companies seeking comprehensive development and manufacturing solutions, particularly in the fast-growing biologics sector.
The Future of Biopharma Manufacturing
The acquisition of Ajinomoto Althea represents a significant step forward for PCI Pharma Services, positioning the company for continued success in the rapidly evolving biopharma manufacturing landscape. As the demand for biologic therapies, particularly in oncology, continues to grow, PCI Pharma is uniquely positioned to meet the complex needs of its clients through its expanded capabilities, including its advanced sterile fill-finish services, high-potent manufacturing, and drug-device combination solutions.
With its expanded global footprint, enhanced technological capabilities, and deep expertise in biologics manufacturing, PCI Pharma is poised to remain at the forefront of the CDMO industry, helping to bring transformative therapies to patients faster and more efficiently than ever before. As the company continues to grow and innovate, PCI Pharma Services will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the future of biopharma manufacturing.
About PCI Pharma Services
PCI Pharma Services is a world-leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that provides integrated end-to-end drug development, manufacturing, and packaging services to the global biopharma industry. With over 90 successful product launches each year, PCI Pharma has built a strong reputation for its ability to deliver high-quality, patient-centric solutions that meet the complex needs of its clients.
PCI Pharma operates 30 sites across seven countries and employs more than 7,000 people dedicated to improving patient outcomes through the development and manufacturing of innovative therapies. With a continued focus on technology and strategic investments, PCI Pharma is committed to providing its clients with the speed, expertise, and flexibility required to succeed in today’s competitive global market.
