Sterling Pharma Buys ADC Bio
UK CDMO Sterling Pharma Solutions has acquired compatriot firm ADC Biotechnology, a specialist in antibody drug conjugates (ADCs). The acquisition follows Sterling’s “significant” investment in the business last December, which was made with a view to acquiring ADC Bio in the first quarter of 2021.
Together, the companies will establish a centre of excellence for bioconjugation and ADC development and manufacturing services, combining Sterling’s experience in cGMP manufacturing and compliance with ADC Bio’s expertise and facilities at Deeside, Wales.
Sterling will make a multi-million-pound investment to support the growth in ADC capabilities, including growing and developing the existing bioconjugation technical services team and expanding the analytical services team, especially in the cGMP area. The company will also develop and establish cGMP bioconjugation/ADC manufacturing at Deeside in 2022.
Last September, Sterling acquired a second US API development and manufacturing facility in Germantown, Wisconsin, which has extensive experience in handling high potency APIs. Its other US facility is at Cary, North Carolina, where the CDMO announced in October 2019 that it was investing $1.5 million in a three-year phased expansion. Work includes expanding the cGMP production suites, adding a non-GMP scale-up production facility, expanding its quality control laboratory and increasing the site’s R&D capacity.
The investments are part of Sterling’s growth strategy following the purchase of a majority stake in the CDMO by London-based healthcare investor GHO Capital in March 2019.
Author: Ellaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist
