Thermo Fisher Scientific expands API manufacturing capabilities

Thermo Fisher Scientific will expand its API manufacturing capabilities at its site in Cork, the company has announced.

The expansion follows the completion of its active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing facility in Cork, Ireland, which was previously acquired by Thermo Fisher from  GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) earlier this year. Through its completion, 400 employees at the Cork site will become part of Thermo Fisher’s Pharma Services API business. 

Thermo Fisher will leverage the expertise of the team in Cork to develop new synthetic processes and help customers scale up from clinical development to commercial supply to meet the increasing demand for APIs. 

“Together with our colleagues in Cork, we’ll offer access to a fully integrated global network of world-class API facilities with deep experience, enabling us to be an even stronger partner for customers looking to outsource their API development and manufacturing,” said Patrick Glaser, president of Thermo Fisher’s drug substance business. “We look forward to helping our customers bring even more important new products to market and making a difference in patients’ lives.” 

The acquisition is part of Thermo Fisher’s overall strategy to further strengthen its pharma services business. This year, the company has set out to invest over $270 million to expand its capabilities, capacity and talent across the world.

This includes an investment of $150 million to expand Thermo Fisher's pharma service capabilities which in turn will help it meet customer demand for biologics. Specifically, the investment will provide additional capacity for sterile liquid and lyophilised product development and commercial manufacturing.

“These investments will help expand our global sterile manufacturing network and meet the increasing demand from customers that rely on our biologics development and manufacturing expertise,” said Michel Lagarde, president of pharma services for Thermo Fisher Scientific. “We continue to invest to expand our capabilities and help our customers deliver the highest quality medicines to the patients who need them.”