International pharmaceutical outsourcing services provider PCI Pharma Services (PCI) welcomed an official visit by the UK Government to its US Headquarters in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania this week.

 

Led by Secretary of State for Wales and UK Board of Trade Advisor Alun Cairns, the engagement was part of a trade mission to attract US businesses to invest in Wales and build on a commercial relationship already worth more than $46 billion (£33.5 billion). During the three-day visit to New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Mr. Cairns met with representatives from  innovative pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors such as PCI as well as with companies from other sectors such as cyber security.

 

Commenting on his visit, the Secretary of State said: “Wales and the United States are close trading partners – and I want to ensure that we continue to build on this important relationship by creating more investment and exporting opportunities for companies from both countries. US firms invest more than £30 billion in the UK and our commercial relationship is stronger than ever. We want to see that partnership continue to grow and flourish, making Wales the place of choice for investors.”

 

PCI Pharma Services President and CEO Bill Mitchell, said: “We were delighted to welcome the UK Government delegation to our Philadelphia site. It was a exceptional  opportunity to showcase our market-leading outsourced manufacturing, packaging and logistical services for the global healthcare industry. The visit pays great testimony to our US operations, but also our ongoing commitment to our EU operations. Our Welsh sites play a very important part in delivering on our strategy to be the partner of choice for pharmaceutical and biotech companies to bring lifesaving medicines to patients around the world.  PCI Pharma Services is honored to support clients with clinical and commercial scale drug manufacturing, packaging and labeling of clinical trial medicines; global logistics services to investigational sites; and commercial contract packaging services.”

 

Based in Pennsylvania, PCI has eight sites across North America and Europe, including four in Wales, UK. The organization has a comprehensive corporate strategy for continued global expansion, focused on organic and acquisitive growth, in response to pharmaceutical trends and customer needs. PCI employs more than 3,200 highly trained associates across its global supply network, including more than 600 in Wales.

 

PCI was chosen as a host for the UK Government’s Trade Mission visit in recognition of its long-standing relationship with Wales. PCI recently announced its newly expanded European Clinical Services Center of Excellence at Bridgend. Prior to this, PCI announced the expansion of its European Manufacturing Center of Excellence at Tredegar. Both capital site expansions were part of an ongoing investment program to increase capacity and capability across PCI’s Welsh sites.

 

This week, the organization announced its intent to acquire Australia-based Pharmaceutical Packaging Professionals, a clinical services provider based in Melbourne. Before this, in October 1017, PCI acquired pharmaceutical and healthcare contract packaging services provider Millmount Healthcare in Dublin, Ireland.

 

In March 2017, PCI embarked on a significant investment program in its market-leading Serialization capability. The initiative increased capacity across its global supply network, supporting clients in advance of meeting both US DSCSA and EU FMD implementation dates. Prior to this, in November 2016, PCI announced a capacity expansion program for its commercial contract packaging services at Philadelphia and Rockford, IL, adding additional bottling and blister packaging lines.