Eatontown, New Jersey - September 20, 2011: West-Ward, the US subsidiary of Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC, today announced that it is to focus its business development capabilities on increasing its share of the contract manufacturing market.
After the recent acquisition of Baxter's Multi Source Injectables business, which included the sterile injectable facility in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, West-Ward's goal is to become one of the leading global providers of contract dosage form development and manufacturing services to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. With versatility in operations, a history of solid government compliance and a network of state-of-the-art facilities in North America and Europe, West-Ward believes it is positioned to become the preferred choice for companies seeking CMO partnerships.
Michael Raya of West-Ward commented, "Over the last six years, drug shortages in the United States have nearly tripled, according to the FDA. Many of these shortages are due to an increase in the number of contract pharmaceutical manufacturers that are reducing or eliminating production. We see this as a major opportunity for West-Ward and for Hikma."
West-Ward's manufacturing and development capabilities cover a wide range of prescription (Rx) products in solid and liquid dosage forms, controlled/sustained release products and sterile high potency products. West-Ward's capabilities include aseptic liquid filling of vials, ampoules and IV bags, aseptic powder filling of cephalosporins, dry and liquid forms of cytotoxic/oncology products and lyophilization. West-Ward has developed and produced various dosage forms involving DEA-controlled substances: sterile suspensions, emulsions and liquid injectables in aqueous or non-aqueous solvent systems.
West-Ward will provide fully integrated contract manufacturing and development solutions to customers, from early development through to high-volume commercial manufacturing and packaging, including project management of technical transfer projects and regulatory submissions in US and European markets.
West-Ward offers world-class facilities, specialized expertise and a firm focus on service, quality and cost. West-Ward currently serves more than 150 customers, including many of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, for all types of products and markets. West-Ward is the United States agent and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC, an international pharmaceutical company, with FDA-approved facilities around the world.