Frontida BioPharm, an affiliate of contract research organization (CRO) Frontage Laboratories, has acquired Sun Pharma’s oral solid dosage manufacturing facilities in Philadelphia, PA, and Aurora, IL, and 15 related pharmaceutical products.

Frontida has been founded to provide contract manufacturing and co-development services for Frontage’s large base of pharmaceutical industry clients and partners, and will utilize the facilities as its primary base of operations.

In connection with the transaction, Frontida has agreed to continue manufacturing certain products of Sun Pharma at these facilities on a contract basis and offer employment to all production, quality and administrative personnel at the sites. Additionally, Frontida will develop and manufacture the acquired products for distribution by commercial partners.

Frontida is offering co-development and commercialization services to pharmaceutical partners in collaboration with Frontage Laboratories’ research facilities in Exton, PA, and its affiliate’s research and development centers in Suzhou and Shanghai, China.

“We are pleased to complete this transaction with Sun and partner with them in manufacturing some of their key products,” said Song Li, chief executive officer of Frontida BioPharm and Frontage Laboratories. “The sites have experienced staff and state-of-the-art facilities and equipment that will serve as a foundation to Frontida’s launch of contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) services. Frontida’s CDMO services will complement the high quality development services offered by Frontage Laboratories and provide our long-term clients a trusted partner for product manufacturing and commercial support.”