Atrium Acquires AquaCap for $21.5 Million

PharmaManufacturing.com
01/19/2007

Quebec City-based Atrium Biotechnologies Inc. announced on Jan. 19 that it acquired Philadelphia area-based AquaCap Pharmaceutical, Inc., a developer and manufacturer of liquid-filled capsules within the U.S. nutritional supplement industry. This technology will allow Atrium to continue to offer its customers quality and innovative products. AquaCap has 60 employees. Under the agreement, Atrium will acquire AquaCap for $21.5 million USD.

Originally developed for the pharmaceutical industry, this liquid delivery technology allows for the liquid filling of hard two-piece capsules with oils, vitamins, minerals, amino acids and herbal extracts. This encapsulation process of liquids provides for better absorption, stability and bioavailability of the nutrients while avoiding the use of excipients often required in the manufacturing of dry capsules or tablet products. Liquid capsules permit minimal runs allowing for more flexibility in manufacturing and better inventory management.

"Instead of investing time, financial and human resources developing this technology internally, AquaCap provides us with a proven and already profitable technological platform on which we will be able to grow," concluded Luc Dupont, president and CEO of Atrium.