Sherpa Clinical Packaging, a San Diego, CA-based supplier of clinical trial material management services, has been acquired by PCI Pharma, a full-service pharmaceutical provider.
The acquisition will bring two additional facilities to PCI’s lineup. The additional facilities and collaboration will move forward PCI’s goal of global expansion by creating a US operations location on the west coast, according to the company..
Mark Paiz, president of Sherpa, said the location of the facilities has specific advantages, “Sherpa is uniquely located to better serve clients west of the Mississippi because it allows for efficient real-time communication and allows up to an additional three hours for outgoing clinical site shipments each day.”
PCI Pharma has also recently made significant site expansions at two of its facilities in Bridgend, UK and Rockford, IL. The company has 3,500 associates across 18 good manufacturing practice (GMP) facilities in seven locations.
The aim of this acquisition, among the other recent acquisitions deals, has been to offer differentiated solutions to clients. Sherpa’s clients will have access to PCI’s support for cold chain and ultra-cold chain temperature controlled medicines, according to Paiz who told us the machines reach down to -196 degrees Celsius.
No financial details could be disclosed at this time. PCI Pharma was unable to comment further.
Global growth
PCI Pharma was in 2016 acquired by Partners Group with the intention to expand the company with plans to add more specialized offerings. A goal of acquiring other companies was expressed at that time.
Since then, the company has made steps towards the objective by expanding its serialization capabilities through a capital investment. Additionally, the company acquired Pharmaceutical Packaging Professionals, a clinical trial services company based in Australia.