Lancashire medical business in line for recruitment drive
A Clitheroe medical goods manufacturer is in line for expansion following the launch as a new independent company and its involvement in development programmes linked to COVID-19 treatments.
The former 3M Drug Delivery System is now branded Kindeva Drug Delivery.
Its US parent company says the Clitheroe plant, which currently employs 94 staff, is in line to expand as it is involved with development programmes for microneedle-based technologies, including in some potential COVID-19 vaccines.
The 51,500 sq ft site, which specialises in pilot, small and large size drug delivery devices, has been deemed an “essential business” during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The launch of the Kindeva brand follows the acquisition by Altaris Capital Partners in a deal valued at £520m.
As part of the transaction, 3M will retain a 17% minority interest in Kindeva alongside Altaris.
Kindeva is a leading global contract development and manufacturing organisation that specialises in solving complex drug delivery challenges for its pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers.
With approximately 900 employees, Kindeva serves customers with a wealth of expertise in formulation, product development and manufacturing.
Kindeva-developed and manufactured therapies treat patients battling a host of debilitating and chronic diseases, including respiratory illnesses and cardiovascular conditions.
The company’s microneedle-based drug delivery platforms are currently being utilised in dozens of development programmes, including programmes for osteoporosis, immunotherapies, COVID-19 vaccines, and other difficult-to-deliver therapies.
Aaron Mann, Kindeva Drug Delivery chief executive, said: “Kindeva brings deep expertise to the unique challenges of developing combination products and complex drugs, including those that are playing an important role in the fight against COVID-19.
“Over the years, 3M has built a differentiated platform of drug delivery technologies and I look forward to the opportunities ahead for Kindeva as an independent company in partnership with Altaris.
“We will be executing an ambitious growth plan that involves significant capital investment and the addition of new jobs across our operating regions. This is an exciting time for Kindeva and our talented colleagues.”
George Aitken-Davies, Altaris managing director, added: “We are excited to be partnering with 3M and the Kindeva team in this transaction.
“We believe Kindeva is well positioned to build on its successful track record as a leading provider of drug delivery technologies.”
Kindeva is a global organisation with cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practice) manufacturing operations in Loughborough and Clitheroe in the UK, and Northridge, California, and St Paul, Minnesota in the US, and state-of-the-art R&D laboratories in Loughborough and St Paul.
Products manufactured by Kindeva are distributed to more than 60 countries worldwide.
Kindeva has a strong legacy of more than 60 years of pharmaceutical innovation and a commitment to revolutionary technologies, having developed the world’s first metered-dose inhaler and the first drug-in-adhesive transdermal patch.
It has successfully developed and commercialised more than 20 complex drug products, including through new drug application and abbreviated new drug application pathways. Kindeva holds more than 500 active patents and works with clients ranging from large blue-chip pharmaceutical companies to small biotechs.
