Sharp Packaging Services Acquires Daiichi Sankyo Inc.'s Pharmaceutical Packaging Facility In Bethlehem PA

Sharp Packaging Services (“Sharp”), a division of UDG Healthcare, plc, a global leader in contract packaging and clinical supply services, recently announced that it has acquired a pharmaceutical packaging facility in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania from Daiichi Sankyo Inc. for a total consideration of USD $14M. The 146,000 sq ft pharmaceutical grade packaging facility will offer additional packaging capacity under the experienced management team and serialization leadership of Sharp’s nearby Allentown campus.

This acquisition is consistent with Sharp's strategy of continued growth and capacity expansion to support new and existing clients.  The company can now offer additional serialization options to valued customers in bottling, blistering and C-II packaging, as well as extended redundancy and risk mitigation.

The Bethlehem facility extends to over 16 acres with further development potential to expand to 235,000 sq ft over time. The facility is FDA inspected and DEA approved and includes two high speed bottle lines, two blister lines, cold and frozen storage, office space and a 2,500 sq ft analytical laboratory. As part of the transaction, Daiichi Sankyo Inc. will also become a commercial client, with Sharp providing packaging, clinical and analytical services for several of their US branded products.  In addition, Sharp will continue to offer employment to Daiichi Sankyo Inc.’s employees at the Bethlehem site.

Commenting on the acquisition, Doug Hill, Senior Vice President & General Manager of Sharp US Packaging said, “We are delighted to be able to add further capacity and expertise to our commercial and clinical businesses in the US market in response to growing demand for our services across all packaging formats, particularly as our industry moves towards the DSCSA serialization deadline in November 2017”.

“Given Sharp Packaging Services’ excellent track record and expertise in delivering commercial and clinical packaging solutions, we are delighted for both our customers and employees that Sharp have secured the long-term future of the Bethlehem packaging facility”, said Ken Keller, President, Administrative and Commercial, Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.

Financial terms are not being disclosed.

About Sharp Packaging Services
Sharp Packaging Services, a division of UDG Healthcare plc., is a global leader in contract packaging and clinical services. Operating from state-of-the-art facilities across the US and Europe, Sharp has built an international reputation for delivering cost-effective blister packaging, bottling, pouches and stick packs, compliance packaging, formulation and manufacturing services, label design and printing.  Sharp is also a world leader in ’Track and Trace’ serialization services, which will require all prescription drugs to have a unique serial code for authentication and traceability. For more information on Sharp, visit www.sharpservices.com.

About Daiichi Sankyo
Daiichi Sankyo Group is dedicated to the creation and supply of innovative pharmaceutical products to address diversified, unmet medical needs of patients in both mature and emerging markets. With over 100 years of scientific expertise and a presence in more than 20 countries, Daiichi Sankyo and its 16,000 employees around the world draw upon a rich legacy of innovation and a robust pipeline of promising new medicines to help people. In addition to a strong portfolio of medicines for hypertension and thrombotic disorders, under the Group's 2025 Vision to become a "Global Pharma Innovator with a Competitive Advantage in Oncology," Daiichi Sankyo research and development is primarily focused on bringing forth novel therapies in oncology, including immuno-oncology, with additional focus on new horizon areas, such as pain management, neurodegenerative diseases, heart and kidney diseases, and other rare diseases. For more information, visit www.daiichisankyo.com. Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, is a member of the Daiichi Sankyo Group. For more information, visit www.dsi.com.

About UDG Healthcare Plc
UDG Healthcare plc is a leading international partner of choice delivering commercial, clinical, communications and packaging services to the healthcare industry, employing almost 8,000 people with operations in 23 countries and delivering services in over 50 countries.