Catalent, Inc. announced it has completed the acquisition of Cook Pharmica LLC, an integrated provider of drug substance and drug product manufacturing and related services. The acquisition of this Bloomington, Indiana-based biologics contract development and manufacturing organization strengthens Catalent’s position in biologics development and analytical services, manufacturing and finished product supply. Their complementary capabilities will help accelerate biologic drug development programs and bring better treatments to patients worldwide.
Catalent intends to maximize the benefits of the acquisition through the reorganization of its operations to create two new dedicated business units that will sharpen the focus on growth, performance, and customers’ needs.
Recognizing the company’s substantially increased biopharmaceutical and fill-finish capabilities and the importance of the rapidly growing area of biologics, Catalent has created a business unit focused on Biologics & Specialty Drug Delivery, to be led by Barry Littlejohns as president. He will oversee eight Catalent facilities focused on biologics development, manufacturing, analytical, and sterile fill-finish and Catalent’s respiratory and ophthalmic business platforms. Tedd Green, formerly president of Cook Pharmica, will now serve as senior vice president, Catalent Bloomington.
Littlejohns has been with Catalent for 26 years, initially with its predecessor RP Scherer, and most recently served as president of the company’s former Drug Delivery Solutions business unit.
Catalent has reorganized the remainder of its former Drug Delivery Solutions business into a newly formed Oral Drug Delivery business unit, to be led by Jonathan Arnold as president. Oral Drug Delivery will bring together Catalent’s expertise and capabilities in advanced delivery technologies and development solutions, including formulation and analytical development, bioavailability enhancement including micronization, hot melt extrusion and spray dry technologies, controlled release, Zydis orally disintegrating tablet technology, and commercial supply across nine facilities.
Arnold has worked for leading life science organizations for over 23 years. These include RP Scherer, Patheon, and Catalent, where he has held senior business leadership roles in Europe and the U.S. For the past 6-years he has served as vice president and general manager for Catalent’s Drug Delivery Solutions business unit.
“The establishment of these focused business units reflects the rapid growth we are seeing across key markets, particularly for biologics and differentiated dosage forms,” commented John Chiminski, chair and CEO of Catalent. “We have an exciting strategic plan to accelerate our portfolio of capabilities, as evidenced by the recent growth investments we have made, including multi-million-dollar site expansions and the newly completed acquisition of Cook Pharmica. We are confident that the experience and expertise of Barry, Jonathan, and Tedd will provide valuable leadership as we move forward in this exciting phase of our development.”
(Source: Catalent)
