Ardena acquires contract manufacturer of APIs and nanomedicines

Ardena, contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO), has acquired a contract manufacturer of novel active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and nanomedicines, ChemConnection.

This latest acquisition by Ardena forms part of its strategy to create an integrated drug development company and reach €30 million sales mark this year. ChemConnection, which originated from Organon and Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) in 2012, has evolved to become a contract services provider serving global biotechs and mid-sized pharmaceutical companies.

“This acquisition is a major step in the execution of our wider strategy to become one of Europe’s leading one-source-contractors for the development of clinical supplies,” stated Harry Christiaens, CEO of Ardena. “Until today, Ardena was primarily focused on pharmaceutical development and manufacturing of drug products. With the acquisition of ChemConnection we strengthen our offering with complementary drug substance services. Moreover, the team in Oss is globally reputed for its nanomedicine expertise enabling the targeted delivery of complex small molecules and biomolecules.”

ChemConnection is based at the Pivot Park life sciences campus in Oss, the Netherlands and employs a team of more than 60 with expertise in process and analytical development, cGMP manufacturing and stability studies for APIs and nanomedicines. This acquisition will see Ardena’s employees increase to a total of 200 scientists.

Commenting on the acquisition, Gerjan Kemperman, CEO of ChemConnection added: “Joining Ardena enables us to serve our customers with much broader services covering their API, drug product, regulatory CMC and bioanalysis requirements. In addition, together we can benefit from synergies that will boost the growth of our business.”

“Supported by financial investor Mentha Capital, we aim to continue the group’s strong organic growth trajectory and we will look for further acquisitions to create an internationally recognised drug development company. We want to create an integrated group of companies that is able to help our customers to navigate the challenges of drug development and meet all chemical, pharmaceutical and (bio)analytical needs in the clinical supply chain, from lab to patient,” added Christiaens.