Alpharma Acquires Bulk Antibiotic Production Facility In Hungary

Alpharma Inc.'s Fine Chemicals Division has acquired SKW Biotech, a part of SKW Trostberg AG (Budapest, Hungary). The purchase included a 300,000-sq. ft. antibiotic fermentation and purification plant in Budapest, making future expansion possible. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

With approximately 75 employees, SKW Biotech currently produces vancomycin hydrochloride. Vancomycin is an antibiotic used worldwide for the treatment of severe staphylococcal infections, especially those caused by methicillin-resistant strains. Thor Kristiansen, president of Alpharma's Fine Chemicals Division, confirmed that the production of other bulk active ingredients, such as gramicidin and tyrothricin, would be transferred to Budapest from Denmark over the next 18 to 24 months. "This new plant will also facilitate introduction of other important bulk actives as we expand our product portfolio," he added.

For more information: Alpharma Inc., One Executive Drive, Fort Lee, NJ 07024, USA. Telephone: 201-947-7774. Fax: 201-947-4879.