The market for production of small molecule APIs is becoming much more competitive - especially as these become more genericized and manufacturing moves to lower cost (for now) Asian suppliers.
Sigma-Aldrich looks to HPAPIs as generic sector heats up.
As a result, SAFC is moving its focus away from these more generic APIs and is focusing its efforts on the product of high potency APIs (HPAPIs). SAFC has several new facilities that are geared toward this type of higher value more difficult manufacturing -- which separates its right away from some of the lower cost, less specialized manufacturers. This capability allows SAFC to cater to drug developers working in cancer therapeutics with both HPAPIs and antibody drug conjugates.
Sigma-Aldrich CEO Rakesh Sachdev commented on this approach at the recent JP Morgan Healthcae Conference, "A greater percentage of [custom pharma] will become highly specialized offerings." Sigma's focus will be "on very unique products" and this is driving our expansion in the high potency area to give ourselves a competitive advantage.
Posted by Bruce Lehr Jan 18th 2012.

