Avara Pharmaceutical expands into Canadian market with acquisition of sterile manufacturing facility

Avara Pharmaceutical Services, a prominent US-based contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), has successfully completed the acquisition of a sterile manufacturing facility for injectable medicines located in Boucherville, Quebec. This strategic acquisition, initially announced in late May 2018, marks Avara’s first foray into the Canadian market and significantly enhances its capabilities in sterile processing.

The facility, previously part of Novartis Technical Operations and closely integrated with the adjacent Sandoz Development Center, represents a critical expansion for Avara. While the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, the acquisition underscores Avara’s commitment to growing its global presence and bolstering its manufacturing capabilities in high-demand sectors.

Timothy C. Tyson, Chairman and CEO of Avara Pharmaceutical Services, emphasized the strategic importance of the acquisition, stating, “This acquisition represents an important addition to the Avara portfolio and further expands our sterile processing capability, which is in very high demand. It comes with a market-leading development capability and a dedicated team of experts that will support us in delivering high-quality pharmaceuticals that meet or exceed customer expectations and regulatory requirements.”

The Boucherville facility is noted as the largest injectables production facility in Canada, playing a crucial role in supplying lifesaving and strategic medicines primarily to hospitals across the Canadian healthcare system. In alignment with the acquisition, Avara has agreed to a long-term supply contract to ensure the continuous production and supply of products from the Boucherville site.

Further demonstrating its commitment to growth and operational excellence, Avara plans to invest in the newly acquired facility and pursue business development opportunities to enhance the plant’s utilization and expand its customer base, all while maintaining current employment levels.

In addition to this latest acquisition, Avara Pharmaceutical Services has been actively expanding its global footprint. Over the past year, the company acquired a sterile manufacturing plant from Pfizer in Liscate, Italy, and a solid dose manufacturing facility in Aiken, South Carolina, from GlaxoSmithKline.

With the Boucherville facility now part of its portfolio, Avara Pharmaceutical Services operates ten manufacturing and development sites worldwide, including two in Canada, three in the US, and one each in Puerto Rico, the UK, Ireland, France, and Italy. This expansion not only enhances Avara’s service offerings but also positions the company as a key player in the global pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.