Generic Specialties has acquired Axcellerate Pharma, a contract research organization and contract development and manufacturing organization (CRO/CDMO) focused on the development and manufacturing of sterile injectable products for generics and biologics.

Axcellerate Pharma, a specialty pharmaceutical and biologics contract manufacturer with an emphasis on clinical trials to commercial-scale manufacturing of sterile liquid, lyophilized parenterals, injectables and biologics, purchased the facilities of Enzon Pharmaceuticals in September 2013. Axcellerate says it has developed differentiated expertise to formulate and manufacture high potency and cytotoxic compounds including antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) from its FDA-approved facility in Piscataway, NJ.

“Axcellerate is a very high quality operation, has been able to build significant customer relationships and a track record for sterile products and biologics,” said Ashwin Mehta, chief executive officer, Generic Specialties. “We see this as a great platform for growth in our pharma solutions business.”

The acquisition allows Generic Specialties to move further into the injectable market segment.

“Our strong capabilities in sterile product development and in ADC product segment will allow us to offer an integrated solution to our customers,” said Mr. Mehta. “We have been impressed by the quality of the people at Axcellerate and their success in both attracting high quality business, also their track record in quality, use of isolator technology is impressive and provides a foundation for expansion of the facility to provide large scale commercial manufacturing including production of highly potent compounds.”