Global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), Sterling Pharma Solutions, has acquired ADC Biotechnology, a UK-based bioconjugation development services business specializing in antibody drug conjugates (ADCs).
 
This follows an announcement by Sterling in December of a strategic investment into the ADC Bio business, with a view to acquisition in 2021.
 
The North Wales facility will rebrand to become part of the Sterling Pharma Solutions international network. Together the teams will establish a center of excellence for bioconjugation and ADC development and manufacturing services, which combine Sterling’s 50 years of experience in cGMP manufacturing, quality processes and compliance, with the expertise of the ADC Bio team and the state of the art facilities available at Deeside.
 
A multi-million pound investment will support the growth of the company’s ADC capabilities, which will include growing and developing the existing bioconjugation technical services team and expanding the analytical services team particularly in the cGMP area. In addition, the team will develop and establish cGMP bioconjugation/ADC manufacturing at Deeside in 2022.
 
“We are delighted to confirm the acquisition of the ADC Bio business, this investment provides us with the opportunity to offer a wider portfolio of services to our customers in the fast-growing ADC and bioconjugation market, as well as providing additional services to existing ADC Bio customers,” said Kevin Cook, chief executive officer, Sterling Pharma Solutions. “Integrating our HPAPI capabilities with the expertise already found at Deeside means that we will also be able to offer the development and manufacture of toxin linkers. This is an exciting time for both businesses as we embark on a period of growth and diversification to ensure we always stay ahead of the next innovation.  I’d like to welcome all ADC Bio employees to the Sterling family.”
 
Alan Raymond, executive chairman of ADC Bio, said, “This is fantastic news for our employees and our customers; targeted investment in both people and processes will allow the team to continue supporting important advances in drug development with additional services, and importantly with the additional support and experience from the Sterling team.
 
This announcement follows Sterling’s acquisition of a second U.S. API development and manufacturing facility in Wisconsin in September last year. The UK-headquartered CDMO now employs over 750 people across the UK and the US.