American Regent will acquire Daiichi Sankyo Altkirch SARL, a Daiichi Sankyo company that has an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Altkirch, France. The facility, previously owned by Daiichi Sankyo Europe, an affiliate of American Regent, produces the API for Adequan®i.m. and Adequan® Canine. Adequan is an FDA-approved PSGAG (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan) with formulations for joint health in horses and dogs.
"With substantial investment in our capabilities to raise customer awareness about Adequan, including hiring a sales force focusing on small animal veterinarians, our Animal Health division has been experiencing double digit growth for several years," said Ken Keller, President and CEO of American Regent. "Acquiring Daiichi Sankyo Altkirch supports the company's continued investment in our future. By modernizing and expanding the Altkirch facility, we will be able to increase production to ensure that we can fill the increasing demand for Adequan in dogs and horses, and secure the long-term capabilities of this growing business."
"We now have the ability to directly collaborate with colleagues in France," said Joel Steckler, Vice President of Animal Health. "This vital connection will allow us to more quickly mobilize production resources in getting Adequan to veterinarians and, ultimately, patients. Additionally, this acquisition provides the opportunity to explore other products for manufacture, so American Regent can continue to find innovative ways of responding to customer needs."