Ardena Expands In The US Acquires Catalent's Advanced Drug Manufacturing Facility

Ardena, a specialized pharmaceutical Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) with GMP facilities in Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands, and Sweden, has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Catalent’s advanced facility in Somerset, New Jersey. This acquisition will significantly advance Ardena’s capabilities in the final stage and small-scale commercial manufacturing of oral drug products. It will contribute to its strategy to become a leading global CDMO offering advanced solutions throughout the pharmaceutical development lifecycle.

The FDA-approved Somerset facility employs around 200 skilled scientists and technicians and serves as a Center of Excellence for advanced oral dosage forms, complementing Ardena’s expertise in oral solids. Moreover, this acquisition sets Ardena to expand its bioanalytical services in the U.S., boarding a client base driven by rising demand for advanced drug development services. The facility's specialized technologies and analytical capabilities will enhance Ardena’s integrated offerings, providing extensive solutions for pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients in Europe and North America.

Jeremie Trochu, Chief Executive Officer of Ardena, said in a statement, “Today marks a significant milestone in Ardena’s international growth strategy. We are thrilled to welcome Somerset's talented scientific and operations team into the Ardena family. Their commitment to exceptional service aligns perfectly with our core values of excellence, reliability, care, and integrity. Together, we will continue to support biopharma companies at the cutting edge of innovation to deliver life-changing therapies to patients worldwide.”

Mr Trochu continued, “This expansion into North America is pivotal for Ardena as we broaden our global footprint. By adding advanced technologies such as Hot Melt Extrusion, we are enhancing our bioavailability improvement solutions and aligning with our expertise in developing innovative nanomedicine drug delivery systems. This investment accelerates our scale of operations and breadth of offerings to serve our fast-growing international client base better.”

GHO Capital, Ardena’s private equity partner, has played a vital role in facilitating this acquisition, reflecting their ongoing commitment to support Ardena's expansion across the Atlantic. The Partners at GHO Capital commented, “We are excited to see this high-impact acquisition come to fruition. It significantly enhances Ardena’s technological and market capabilities across key regions, positioning the company for sustained value creation and long-term success under Jeremie’s leadership.” 

The transaction will close in early 2025, pending regulatory approvals and other customary conditions.