The CDMO will fully own and operate their first North American site, which is located in Canada.
Famar has assumed full ownership of the Pointe-Claire, Canada manufacturing facility. The deal officially closed on April 12, 2017, with Famar fully acquiring the site from Bayer. The Canada location is the company’s first facility in North America. Famar, which is a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), is most commonly associated with their European presence. The company has 11 sites throughout the EU and is known for supplying pharmaceuticals and products to the beauty and health sectors. The company currently employs approximately 3,200 people.
Famar CEO, Jeffrey Morrod, spoke about the exciting new expansion, and what penetrating the North American market means for the future of the company. “This is an important step for Famar, pursuing its strategy of continued organic and inorganic growth with expansion into North America through the acquisition of an FDA-approved facility,” he said. “There is strong interest in this acquisition from existing customers and the potential for new partnerships which demonstrate that Famar is on a path to growth into North America. This acquisition also reinforces our strong partnership with BAYER,” he affirmed.
The acquistion of the Pointe-Claire site comes almost exactly a year after CEO Morrod commented on the company’s growth strategy, specifically their intention to expand into the North American market. Following the announcement of Famar’s decision to buy an oral solid dose facility from Roche, located in Leganés, Spain, Morrod was clear about America and Canada being attractive markets for the company, suggesting that new sites in both countries would likely follow — and now the first has.
The CEO spoke to In-Pharma Technologist, regarding the Spanish facility saying, “We liked the product portfolio [made at the Leganés facility] and we liked the fact that it is US FDA compliant.” He further commented on this, saying “We will consider buying more facilities in Europe and the US in line with our growth strategy, part of which is to expand our business in North America.” He also indicated that the North American market is priority for Famar, as opposed to the Asian market saying, “While I would never rule anything out, we are focused on expanding our manufacturing capacity, capabilities and business in Europe and North America.”
With the full acquisition announcement of the Pointe-Claire, Canada facility, this strategic growth endeavor into the North American market has begun. There are 150 people employed at the site, which specializes in manufacturing solid, semi-solid and liquid dosage forms. Famar Montreal Inc. will be responsible for the daily operations of the Pointe-Claire, Canada facility.
