3SBio Inc., a China-based biotechnology company focused on researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing biopharmaceutical products, has acquired Sirton Pharmaceuticals SpA, a contract injectables manufacturer, from First Shanghai Limited.

Sirton Pharmaceuticals SpA is a pharmaceutical contract manufacturing company located in Villa Guardia, near Cuomo, Italy. Sirton produces injectable pharma products, including pre-filled syringes, liquid vials, freeze-dried vials and ampuls, and pharmaceutical development services, including lyophilization process development, analytical method development and validation, stability studies, and manufacturing of clinical study materials. Sirton also develops and produces generic pharmaceutical products, including zoledronic acid, through Ingenerics S.r.l, a joint venture with Tripharma S.p.A.

3SBio, which was founded in 1993, focuses on researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing biopharmaceutical products primarily in China, TPIAO, a rhTPO product. Pipeline candidates include Uricase PEG-20, a modified pegylated recombinant uricase from Candida utilis for the treatment of refractory gout and tumor lysis syndrome which has completed US Phase I trials; NuPIAO, a long-acting erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) for anemia associated with renal failure or chemotherapy and peri-operative blood cell mobilization that has received China FDA’s approval to initiate clinical trials; SSS07, an anti-TNF monoclonal antibody for treating rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and potentially other inflammatory diseases; Leukotuximab/SSS19, an anti-CD43/JL-1 monoclonal antibody for treating acute leukemia; and Tanibirumab/SSS23, a anti-VEGFR2 monoclonal antibody for treating solid tumors. The company has a mammalian biological manufacturing facility in Shenyang, China, and planning is underway to develop monoclonal antibody manufacturing capabilities.

Source: 3SBio