American Regent, a U.S. manufacturer of pharmaceuticals with manufacturing sites in New York and Ohio, 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 chief executive officer, 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.”
 
Direct oversight of the Altkirch location also reinforces American Regent’s commitment to, and investment in, pharmaceutical manufacturing, now including manufacturing of API.
 
“We now have the ability to directly collaborate with colleagues in France,” said Joel Steckler, vice president of animal health, American Regent. “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.”
 
In line with American Regent’s recent investment and expansion in its Ohio and New York manufacturing facilities, the acquisition of Daiichi Sankyo Altkirch is a move designed to integrate the company’s lines of business in a growing product portfolio.