Marchesini Group and the US equipment manufacturer AST have agreed a strategic partnership to expand their capacities in aseptic fill-finish production and strengthen their global market presence. Marchesini Group is acquiring a 44.39 per cent stake in AST and integrating the US technologies into its aseptic portfolio.
The co-operation aims to offer customers a broader range of integrated solutions for sterile filling and capping systems. Both companies want to integrate their global sales and service networks more closely and thus improve the availability of technology and technical support in North America, Europe, Asia and other key markets. The partnership combines the existing aseptic expertise of Marchesini subsidiaries Corima and MAR with AST's flexible filling and capping systems for pharmaceutical and biotech products.
Strengthening aseptic expertise
The collaboration centres on expanding the range of systems for the sterile filling of complex products. The background to this is a dynamic pharmaceutical market in which new therapies such as oncological applications and biotechnologically produced drugs in particular place high demands on product protection, process safety and cleanability. By acquiring a stake in AST, Marchesini Group aims to drive forward the development of customised systems tailored to these requirements and thus expand its position in the aseptic packaging solutions segment.
The agreement also includes organisational steps: AST Chairman and CEO Joe Hoff increases his company share, remains in his position at the head of the US company and joins the Steering Committee of the Aseptic Division of the Marchesini Group. In future, this committee will bundle the activities in the area of sterile fill-finish and drug product manufacturing solutions within the Group.
Focus on the USA and global presence
With this investment, Marchesini Group is emphasising the strategic importance of the US market without changing its production base in Italy. The company emphasises that it will continue to invest in its domestic sites, including the expansion of the plant in Barberino di Mugello and the planned expansion of the Corima site in Siena. At the same time, the closer cooperation with AST is intended to strengthen the market presence in North America and better address the international customer base of both partners.
By combining their brand strengths and technologies, both companies aim to realise efficiency gains, expand their market position in the aseptic filling sector and create long-term value for customers and other stakeholders, according to the statement. The focus is on integrated solutions that range from process development to commercial operation and fulfil high requirements in terms of sterility, flexibility and product quality.
Source: Marchesini
