Integration of the site into Famar’s manufacturing network, which includes 11 European sites, will strengthen its solid and sterile dose contract production capabilities. After closing the deal, due to occur in mid-2011, Famar will supply Sanofi and invest to continue its sterile expansion strategy.
Famar will make a multi-million Euro investment in a new sterile workshop with several lines, Herve Mouneyrac, corporate development director at Famar, told Outsourcing-Pharma, and hire the 330 staff Sanofi employs at the plant.
Since acquiring a plant in St Remy sur Avre, France from Abbott in 2007 Famar has invested to quadruple lyophilisation capacity. Demand for sterile dose production services is strong, said Mouneyrac, and the Madrid site will complement the French plant and help Famar serve clients.
Buying the plant is also an opportunity to strengthen Famar’s relationship with Sanofi, said Mouneyrac. Famar bought a Sanofi plant in L’Aigle, France in 2001 and is looking to strengthen ties with the new acquisition.
Following closure of the deal Sanofi will continue to source certain products from the site “on the basis of a strong and sustainable supply agreement”. No further details on the supply agreement are available at this time.
Famar expansion
The Madrid site will, on completion of the deal, become the first Famar site in Spain, a country it views as having a “very promising market”. Famar currently has 11 sites located in Greece, France, Italy and The Netherlands, employs 3,100 people and has a turnover of €380m ($512m).
In recent years Famar has invested to expand its sterile dose capacity. Expansion of the Saint-Rémy site has given Famar 200 m sq of lyophilisation capacity and aseptic vial filling capabilities.