Daiichi Sankyo announces sale of pharma packaging plant

Parsippany-based Daiichi Sankyo Inc. announced Monday that Sharp Packaging Services, a division of UDG Healthcare plc, has purchased the Daiichi pharmaceutical packaging plant located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.Parsippany-based Daiichi Sankyo Inc. announced Monday that Sharp Packaging Services, a division of UDG Healthcare plc, has purchased the Daiichi pharmaceutical packaging plant located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Sharp took over operations at the 146,000-square-foot plant and is now packaging several of Daiichi’s medications. Sharp said it has offered the plant’s workers opportunities for employment.

“We are particularly gratified to identify a new packaging partner that will continue employing the dedicated and talented workers at the Bethlehem facility,” Ken Keller, president, administrative and commercial, Daiichi Sankyo, said in a statement. “Selling the plant to an organization that can maximize the facility is also the best long-term solution for our customers, our company and the viability of the plant. With its track record as a leader in contract packaging and clinical supply services for pharmaceutical companies, as well as its expertise in implementing serialization solutions, Sharp is the right partner to assume our packaging operations.”

The transaction closed on April 1. Financial terms were not disclosed.