As the market for the contract manufacture of potent drugs continues to grow, Aesica believes that the investment in the new containment facility will enable it to significantly extend its formulation offering in this particular market. It is estimated that the facility will be completed by May 2011 and once operational will enable Aesica to manufacture potent drugs typically classed as Safebridge category 3. The new facility will also include security measures that will ensure it can manufacture Schedule II controlled drugs such as opiates.

Housed in a purpose built facility at Aesica’s Queenborough site, the new high containment unit will include suites for granulation, tabletting and blister packing along with the appropriate HVAC and cleaning facilities and will be completely separate from the rest of the company’s facilities to prevent any potential cross-contamination.

Adam Sims, Commercial Director, Aesica says: “As we continue to consolidate and broaden our service proposition, the addition of the high containment facility has enabled us to add yet another dimension to our offer. The evolution of drug development and the use of more potent compounds has made high containment drug manufacturing a key focus for customers outsourcing their products*.

“With our proven expertise in the production of Formulated Products and APIs, it was a natural progression for us to broaden our reach into this marketplace. Our service offering and capability is the most advanced in the UK and the addition of the new facility will be of huge benefit to our current clients and indeed all pharmaceutical companies who require potent drug product production.”

Aesica supplies contract development and contract manufacturing services for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients and Formulated Products to a host of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies and emerging biotechnology organisations.

Its unique proposition lies in its flexible and bespoke approach to service delivery, coupled with its ability to develop products from the initial clinical stage through to final commercial supply. Furthermore, the long established and proven expertise within the company enables it to provide primary and secondary contract manufacturing services to the highest possible standards. It is this all-encompassing offer and its dedication to exceptional standards of service that truly sets Aesica apart from its counterparts.

Aesica was founded in 2004 and has since more than trebled in size, from having a single API site in the North East of England to being a significant global player with four API and Formulation development and manufacturing sites in the UK, global offices in New York, San Diego and Shanghai and an international customer base.

The company also recently announced (29 June 2010) that it successfully acquired leading research and development company R5.  R5 is Aesica’s third UK acquisition since 2006 and will complement its existing formulations capability and enable it to significantly consolidate and enhance its portfolio of pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients. 

For more information about Aesica please visit www.aesica-pharma.com

ENDS

Notes to editors:

* As the oncology drug market alone is forecast to be worth in excess of $50 billion by 2015, it is an area of the industry that is set to continue to grow apace.

About Aesica

·         Aesica is one of the UK’s fastest growing companies and over the last five years has experienced an increase in turnover from £25M to approximately £100M.

·         The company currently employs 750 people.

·         Aesica was ranked 50^th in Deloitte’s Buyout Track 100 as recently published in The Sunday Times.

·         In addition to its headquarters in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, Aesica has four development and manufacturing sites across the UK including Cramlington, Nottingham, Queenborough and Ponders End. Furthermore it has offices in New York, San Diego and Shanghai.

·         Aesica’s vision is to become the world’s leading supplier of APIs and formulated products.