Galen, a member of the Almac Group, has completed a multi-million pound acquisition of POA Pharma, a boutique healthcare company, significantly expanding its global reach and product portfolio in new therapy areas, such as rare metabolic disease.
 
POA Pharma, based in Sweden, with additional facilities across the Nordic region and North America, represents 16 producers from 10 countries with a portfolio of products and an extensive global network. Galen first signed a distribution agreement with POA Pharma in April 2016, allowing the company to market and sell POA Pharma’s metabolic product portfolio in the UK and Ireland. The acquisition is part of Galen’s growth efforts, extending its global footprint into the Nordic territory and Northern Europe.
 
As part of the takeover, Simon Lawrence, who has held various senior management positions with Galen over 33 years, has been appointed commercial director, Nordics and will be based at the POA facility in Copenhagen. He will oversee operations in the region and grow the team in line with Galen’s global strategy.
 
Simon Lawrence said, “Galen’s long-heritage and expertise in delivering valued medicines to the people that need them most, coupled with POA Pharma’s important portfolio, means we now have the opportunity to improve the lives of more people affected by a variety of diseases on a truly global scale. Particularly for the underserved, rare, phenylketonuria (PKU) population, who have limited treatment options available to them, today’s completion is a welcome step towards better access to life-saving nutritional therapies across Galen’s extensive distribution network and beyond.”
 
Dr. Dennise Broderick, president and managing director Galen said, “This acquisition is highly complementary to our established business and marks a key milestone in our strategic global growth plans. The founders of POA have created a highly successful business and we look forward to incorporating and growing the reputable company further as part of the Galen organization. This acquisition will enable Galen to offer a wider range of products to our customers, healthcare professionals and patients around the world.”