AMRI to close research plant in Bothell, WA, US
Aims to integrate in vitro biology services with total drug discovery service
AMRI, a US-based contract research and manufacturing organisation, is to close its plant in Bothell, WA in the US as a result of ‘shifting market preferences related to integrated drug discovery activities’. The site employs 24 people.
The move is the next step in the company’s Smartsourcing strategy and is part of its aim to ‘expand and better integrate its in vitro biology services with its total drug discovery service platform’. The closure will generate annual savings of around US$2m, the company says.
The Bothell site’s biology capabilities will be transferred to AMRI’s fully integrated discovery plant in Singapore and ‘certain analytical capabilities’ will consolidate into its analytical quality group in Albany, NY.
AMRI estimates that it will take a one-time charge of approximately US$11m over the closure.
‘By further aligning and integrating our global biology services, AMRI continues to address and anticipate changes in the marketplace, strengthening our position as a premier provider of integrated drug discovery services,’ said Thomas D’Ambra, AMRI’s chairman, president and CEO.
‘Already our Smartsourcing initiatives are proving effective as evidenced by expanded contract services opportunities; this next move provides us with the potential to better pursue these opportunities as we enter 2013.
‘We will continue to focus on improving our cost structure and capabilities in order to build stronger and long-term relationships with existing and new customers.’
The realignment will be phased in over several months. The Bothell operation is expected to cease operation by the end of the first quarter of 2013.
