Olon acquires HuvePharma

Italian CDMO and API producer Olon Group has acquired its compatriot HuvePharma Italia, which makes APIs and advanced intermediates via chemical synthesis, from the Huvepharma EOOD group. This is part of Olon’s strategy of growth, consolidation and expansion, both internally and through acquisitions

The company said that this means a “significant increase in its total production capacity” and makes it one of the biggest CDMOs in Europe. Huvepharma’s site at Garessio, which was owned by Sanofi until 2016, brings the combined total to 13, including nine in Italy, with total reaction capacity of 3,250 m³.

Olon added that the acquisition plan “involves a complete operational integration” of Huvepharma’s facilities, workforce and portfolio and “a plan to revive the production potential of the Garessio plant and, through the development of new business opportunities, bring it to full production capacity”. Half of its production lines are fully automated and it has in recent years developed the production of an antimalarial through advanced photo-oxidation technology and nanoparticles.

This follows the July acquisition of GTP Bioways Group, a French biotech CDMO offering R&D services, process development and production of monoclonal antiodies, enzymes, proteins, nanodrugs, antibody-drug conjgates (ADCs) and fill-finish.  GTP Bioways is being integrated into the Olon Biotech division. During Q3, Olon also finalised its €25 million investment in a facility to make ultra high potency APIs, payloads and payload-linkers for ADCs under extremely high containment. This and the acquisition of GTP Bioways will enable Olon Biotech to offer full services for the development and production of ADCs.