PCI Pharma to Acquire Ajinomoto Althea
PCI Pharma Services (PCI), a global leader in contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) focused on biopharmaceutical innovation, has announced the acquisition of Ajinomoto Althea, Inc. (Althea), a US-based sterile fill-finish CDMO. Althea is currently a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan’s Ajinomoto Co., Inc. The transaction, expected to close in May 2025, will grant PCI its first sterile fill-finish manufacturing facility in North America.
This acquisition is a strategic milestone for PCI as it expands its injectable drug product capabilities to the US market. Althea’s San Diego-based facility is equipped with cutting-edge technology, including isolator-based systems for prefilled syringes and cartridges, as well as high-potency manufacturing suitable for handling complex biologics such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).
Althea brings a robust portfolio of clinical and commercial manufacturing services for injectable therapies. The company’s expertise in oligonucleotides and peptides aligns with PCI’s existing capabilities in complex formulations, including lyophilized products, mRNA, monoclonal antibodies (MABs), and nanoparticle-based therapies. These offerings support a range of injectable delivery formats such as vials, bottles, autoinjectors, and prefilled syringes.
The addition of high-potent vial filling with lyophilization capabilities strengthens PCI’s standing as one of the few US-based CDMOs able to manufacture next-generation oncology therapeutics like ADCs. PCI has a long history in handling high-potent compounds, and integrating Althea’s capabilities allows PCI to deliver comprehensive, end-to-end solutions for global clients working in advanced therapeutics.
In the area of drug-device combination products and advanced delivery systems, Althea’s infrastructure supports PCI’s existing strengths in final assembly and packaging. With facilities already in Europe and North America, this acquisition enhances PCI’s ability to serve clients across regions. Althea’s San Diego campus also establishes PCI as a major manufacturing presence on the West Coast, a critical hub in the US biopharma ecosystem.
The San Diego site complements PCI’s current sterile fill-finish capabilities, particularly in early-phase development and robotic systems for clinical trial supply. Together, these assets form a scalable, high-tech manufacturing network in close proximity, designed to serve both clinical and commercial production needs with agility.
Salim Haffar, CEO of PCI Pharma Services, emphasized the strategic importance of the acquisition: “To continue supporting the needs of our customers in their endeavors to bring life-changing therapies to patients, PCI continues to make sizable investments in the sterile fill-finish category that bring additional capabilities, capacity and technologies into our portfolio. Welcoming Althea into the PCI family expands our capabilities to support several therapeutic and drug delivery modalities, including the emerging ADC marketplace, and complements our broad end-to-end solutions alongside clinical trial services and advanced drug delivery.”
This move marks a significant investment in PCI’s global sterile fill-finish infrastructure, allowing the company to better support complex and innovative therapeutics. As demand for sophisticated biologic formulations grows—particularly in the oncology and rare disease markets—PCI is positioning itself as a leader in both development and commercial-scale manufacturing.
About PCI Pharma Services
PCI Pharma Services is a global CDMO offering integrated solutions from drug development and manufacturing through to commercial packaging. With over 50 years of experience and more than 90 successful product launches annually, PCI supports pharmaceutical and biotech companies across the product lifecycle.
With 30 facilities across seven countries—including the US, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Germany, Spain, and the UK—PCI employs over 7,000 professionals committed to accelerating the delivery of life-changing therapies to patients around the world.
The company’s continued investment in cutting-edge technologies and infrastructure enables it to meet the evolving needs of the pharmaceutical industry. PCI is recognized for its ability to deliver flexible, scalable, and customized solutions across clinical and commercial programs.
By integrating Ajinomoto Althea into its global network, PCI reinforces its commitment to innovation and expands its reach in key therapeutic areas, ensuring clients can bring advanced therapies to market faster and more efficiently.
