The deal – plans for which were announced in June – is designed to build Roquette’s presence in the Brazilian pharmaceutical excipients sector.
Itacel was previously owned by active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and drug firm Blanver. The firm operates a manufacturing unit 40km outside Sao Paulo, Brazil that also houses R&D and quality control laboratories. The firm employs 300 people.
Itacel’s excipient portfolio includes microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and croscarmellose, which are used in oral dose tablets and capsules.
In June, Blanver said the divestiture would allow it to concentrate on the expansion of its facilities in Taboão da Serra, which makes finished pharmaceuticals, and its API plant in Indaiatuba.
A Roquette spokeswoman told us the deal is in keeping with the firm’s investment strategy, adding “growth in emerging markets such as Latin America, and particularly Brazil, is higher than established markets, with a CAGR of 7-8% and offer offers incredible potential.”
She also said there are “significant complementarities between Itacel and Roquette,” citing to the companies assets and infrastructures, complementary portfolio in functional binders and fillers for oral dosage form and disintegrants as key areas.
Staff
While she did not confirm Roquette has hired all 100 people employed by Itacel the spokeswoman did say “thanks to the Roquette Group, Itacel staff and the manufacturing facility, this acquisition is a real opportunity for success through shared core values and vision.
“This investment will create new opportunities for Roquette and Itacel employees” she added.
Privately-owned Roquette did not disclose financial terms of the transaction.