Capsugel acquires Encap Drug Delivery

MORRISTOWN, N.J. AND LIVINGSTON, SCOTLAND—Capsugel announced at the beginning of March that it has acquired Encap Drug Delivery. Based in Scotland, Encap's focus on liquid and semi-solidencapsulation-based product development, and clinical and commercialmanufacturing for the pharmaceutical industry, complements Capsugel'srecently-established Dosage Form Solutions (DFS) business unit, whichdevelops and manufactures innovative products for the healthcareindustry.

"Encap's capabilities and offerings align seamlesslywith our DFS business unit which is focused on lipid-based formulationsand targeted release capsules," said Guido Driesen, president and CEOof Capsugel. "This acquisition will accelerate the growth of DFS andfurther strengthen our leadership position in liquid-filled formulationsin hard capsules."

Amit Patel, president of Capsugel DFS, adds,"The combination of DFS and Encap creates greater depth and breadth ofour technology platforms, product development capabilities, andmanufacturing infrastructure, which will collectively enhance ourability to improve our healthcare customers' products in areas such asbioavailability, stability, dosing and delivery, and overalltime-to-market."

Encap operates an FDA- and MHRA-inspectedpharmaceutical product development and manufacturing site, is equippedto handle high potency active ingredients, and has established aclinical fast-track program that can speed the process from lab toclinic. Additionally, Encap's proprietary targeted release technologies(DuoCap and ENCODE) and abuse deterrence technologies (Abusolve) will add to Capsugel's growing suite of offerings in these areas.

Capsugel DFS's lipid-based technology platform currently includes proprietary Licaps liquid-filled capsules, softgels,solid-lipid pellets and a lipid formulation software system aimed ataccelerating lipid-based product development for customers. The businessunit's emerging targeted release technology platform includesspecialized capsules that enable different types and levels ofcontrolled release delivery.

Dr. Stephen Brown, CEO of EncapDrug Delivery, stated, "The acquisition by Capsugel will globalize thereach of our products and services. Encap's focus on liquid-filledtechnologies has allowed us to develop depth in bioavailabilityenhancement and drug delivery and we are pleased to join Capsugel, theindustry leader in hard capsules and lipid-based dosage form developmentand manufacturing."

SOURCE: Capsugel news release