Special alliance expands drug company’s markets

May 2 2008 by Graeme King, The Journal

FAST growing pharmaceuticals business Specials Clinical Manufacturing has signed up for a strategic alliance with one of the most innovative companies in its field.

The Prudhoe company, with around 150 staff, is to work alongside Penn Pharmaceuticals, based in Tradegar, Wales, with both companies predicting substantial benefits from the arrangement.

Penn, with around 200 staff and sales of £17m, has developed a reputation as one of the UK’s leading pharmaceutical product development companies.

The two firms will work together to provide sterile manufacturing, packing and distribution of investigational medicinal products (IMPs) for the UK and international markets, and offer an extended range of products and services under their individual brands.

The agreement will also open up Penn’s established international sales network for Specials to access with its expertise and product range. Brian Dougherty, chairman of Specials, said: “The deal with Penn offers strong mutual benefits in terms of shared marketing and knowledge.

“This partnership will open up new market sectors and opportunities for both companies and the Specials team is very excited about being associated with the Penn brand.

“Together, we can become a powerful force in our key strategic markets.”

Under the alliance agreement, Penn will provide non-sterile services such as formulation development, analytical development, stability testing, secondary packing and distribution, while Northumberland-based Specials will provide sterile manufacturing, filling, primary packing, micro-biological testing and method development services.

John Roberts, commercial director for Penn, said: “This agreement brings together two established companies with an excellent track record in the manufacture, packing, testing and supply of IMPs for clinical studies.

“The compelling combined service offering provided by Penn and Specials in the field of sterile IMP development will enable clients to significantly accelerate the progress of their products.”