Ahmedabad, November 11, 2008
Zydus Cadila, one of India’s leading healthcare companies and a global healthcare provider, has acquired Etna Biotech, the wholly owned subsidiary of the Dutch Biopharma company, Crucell N.V. The deal, which marks Zydus Cadila’s first acquisition in the research space, offers the group a highly evolved research platform for developing new vaccines and technology.
Crucell which was focused on biologicals entered the vaccine space with the acquisition of Berna Biotech, a globally renowned, specialised vaccine company. Etna was the dedicated research and development wing of Berna Biotech.
Etna Biotech headquartered in Catania, Italy, focuses on research and development of vaccines. Currently, Etna Biotech has several innovative technologies and vaccines at different development stages in its pipeline. Prominent among those are the programs for developing vaccines against Hepatitis using the Virosome vaccine technology platform; and against Malaria and HPV using the Measles technology platform.
The need for specialized technology and cutting edge research, has resulted in relatively limited competition and have posed high entry barriers for players in the field of vaccines. With the global vaccine industry forecasted to grow by nearly 18% by 2010, which is roughly three times the growth of the global pharmaceutical industry, research and development of vaccines have emerged as a major focus area in recent times.
Speaking on the new development, Chairman and Managing Director, Mr. Pankaj R. Patel said, “As an integrated player in the field of healthcare, we have always been exploring opportunities that can take us to the next level of excellence. With this acquisition we will be at the forefront of innovation for vaccine research and development.”
“This transaction is further proof that we are committed to focus on the strengths of our core business and with Zydus as the new owner of Etna we are very pleased that our employees and partners will be in good hands going forward”, said Crucell’s Chief Executive Officer, Ronald Brus.
About Zydus Cadila
Zydus Cadila is an innovative global pharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of healthcare products. The group’s operations range from API to formulations, animal health products and cosmeceuticals. Headquartered in the city of Ahmedabad in India, the group has global operations in four continents spread across USA, Europe, Japan, Brazil, South Africa and 25 other emerging markets. In its mission to create healthier communities globally, Zydus Cadila delivers wide ranging healthcare solutions and value to its customers. With over 9,500 employees worldwide, a world-class research and development centre dedicated to discovery research and eight state-of-the-art manufacturing plants, the group is dedicated to improving people’s lives. For more information, please visit www.zyduscadila.com.
About Crucell
Crucell N.V. is a global biotechnology company focused on research, development, production and marketing of vaccines, proteins and antibodies that prevent and treat primarily infectious diseases. Its vaccines are sold in public and private markets worldwide. Crucell's core portfolio includes a vaccine against hepatitis B, a fully-liquid vaccine against five important childhood diseases and a virosome-adjuvanted vaccine against influenza. Crucell also markets travel vaccines, such as the only oral anti-typhoid vaccine, an oral cholera vaccine and the only aluminum-free hepatitis A vaccine on the market. The Company has a broad development pipeline, with several product candidates based on its unique PER.C6® production technology. The Company licenses its PER.C6® technology and other technologies to the biopharmaceutical industry. Important partners and licensees include DSM Biologics, Sanofi-Aventis, Novartis, Wyeth and Merck & Co. Crucell is headquartered in Leiden, the Netherlands, with subsidiaries in Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Sweden, Korea and the US. The Company employs over a 1000 people. For more information, please visit www.crucell.com.