West-Ward seeks growth in CMO sector
Following purchase of injectable facility from Baxter
West-Ward Pharmaceuticals, the US subsidiary of Hikma Pharmaceuticals, is to focus on increasing its share of the contract manufacturing market following the acquisition of Baxter's multi source injectables business for US$112m.
The purchase in May included a sterile injectable facility in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, which has been integrated into West-Ward’s generics business along with more than 800 Baxter employees.
West-Ward, based in Eatontown, New Jersey, aims to move the Baxter customer service function over to its business by 1 November. The firm expects full integration of the two companies to take up to 18 months.
West-Ward’s manufacturing and development capabilities cover prescription (Rx) products in solid and liquid dosage forms, controlled/sustained release products and sterile high potency products. The firm handles aseptic liquid filling of vials, ampoules and IV bags, aseptic powder filling of cephalosporins, dry and liquid forms of cytotoxic/oncology products and lyophilisation. It has developed various dosage forms involving DEA-controlled substances: sterile suspensions, emulsions and liquid injectables in aqueous or non-aqueous solvent systems.
West-Ward’s president and chief executive Michael Raya said: ‘Over the last six years, drug shortages in the US have nearly tripled, according to the FDA. Many of these shortages are due to an increase in the number of contract pharmaceutical manufacturers that are reducing or eliminating production. We see this as a major opportunity for West-Ward and for Hikma.’
West-Ward will provide fully integrated contract manufacturing and development solutions to customers, from early development through to high-volume commercial manufacturing and packaging, including project management of technical transfer projects and regulatory submissions in US and European markets.
The firm currently serves more than 150 customers, including many of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, for all types of products and markets.
