Catalent Pharma Solutions,, a provider of delivery technologies and development solutions for drugs, biologics, and consumer health products, has acquired the remaining stake in Redwood Bioscience Inc., and the SMARTag Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) technology platform. In Catalent's first acquisition since its initial public offering in July, the company continues to execute its strategy to build a differentiated technology offering and strengthen its position in the biologics market.

Redwood's team in Emeryville, California, will become part of Catalent's network under the leadership of Redwood President, CSO and Founder, David Rabuka, who will continue to advance the development of the SMARTag technology as part of Catalent's growing Biologics business.

Catalent announced in April 2013 that it had acquired an exclusive license to market the SMARTag technology and has subsequently collaborated with Redwood for the ongoing development and marketing of the platform.

“This acquisition brings to Catalent a highly differentiated technology in the SMARTag platform, as well as a high caliber and innovative scientific team,” commented John Chiminski, president and CEO, Catalent Pharma Solutions. “It is aligned with our strategic focus on innovation and technology, and further demonstrates Catalent's ability to strengthen our position in key growth markets through internal and external investments.

In other news, Catalent  the Catalent Applied Drug Delivery Institute announced a collaboration with the Lung Cancer Alliance on patient research in early October. The collaboration will focus on patient and caregiver insights, in order to better understand the unmet needs of patients when managing lung cancer, including the impact that treatment has on the patient overall, managing other disease states, and daily living.

Source: Catalent (ADC) and Catalent (lung care)