AMRI says it is well placed to win more NCATS contracts
AMRI gets 5-year NIH API manufacturing and process dev contract
The five year contract – financial terms of which were not provided – will see AMRI provide the NCATS Division of Pre-Clinical Innovation (DPI) with process and analytical development services and manufacture small molecule drug candidates for clinical trials.
An spokeswoman told us AMRI will be supporting progression of preclinical candidates to clinical stage, explaining "we will be supplying API for clinical trials." She added the firm is also prepared to provide formulation services if required, but it is not covered under this contract.
She declined to share financial details of the specific project, but did suggest AMRI may be involved in other projects.
"NCATS’ total budget is $24.5m, but the budget is to be spread across three technical areas. There are eight awardees in total across the three technical areas. We anticipate that small molecule manufacturing will be the most prevalent technical area and that AMRI will have great success in winning work."
The spokeswoman also told us that although AMRI does not anticipate hiring additional staff to work on the project, it is prepared to if the need arises.
Takeover speculation
News of the deal follows speculation AMRI had hired Credit Suisse Group AG to help it look for a buyer.
The firm told us “As a matter of corporate policy, we do not comment on rumors or speculation.”
