IDT Biologika, an integrated global contract manufacturer of vaccines and biopharmaceuticals, is set to focus on the production of human vaccines and medicines going forward by divesting its portfolio of veterinary pharmaceuticals and related R&D activities to the French veterinary health group Ceva Santé Animale – pending approval by Germany’s Federal Cartel Office.
Business in contract manufacturing and development of human medicines has seen dynamic growth over the past few years for the long-standing, Dessau-based company, most recently contributing as much as two thirds of total turnover. In this market, IDT acts as a partner to mostly international pharmaceutical companies, with demand for such services growing comfortably in the two-digit range. IDT’s goal is to establish itself as one of the global leaders in this field, according to CEO Jürgen Betzing.
The company is currently adapting its organization, processes and structures to the new strategic direction. As a result of the ongoing restructuring, management estimates that about 1,600 of the current around 1,900 jobs at the Dessau site can be secured, with some of these staff being employed by the new owner of the animal health business going forward. The company expects to be able to achieve the necessary downsizing largely without any forced redundancies.
Comments Jürgen Betzing, CEO: “IDT is an innovative biotech company with a long tradition here in the region. Drawing on modern technology and outstanding skills, we support our customers in developing and manufacturing vaccines and biological medicines that help fight diseases all over the world. Our strategic repositioning will enable us to fully concentrate on a very promising high-growth market in which we’re committed to gaining a leading global position.”
IDT, whose roots are in animal health, has built a strong reputation as a contract manufacturing organization (CMO) for human medicines for the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry recently. This is reflected, for example, in its having won both the CMO Leadership Award as a leading global supplier in March this year and the ViE Award (Vaccine Industry Excellence) in the Contract Manufacturing Organization category in May.
Link to Ceva Santé Animale