PCI Pharma Services made headlines with the announcement of their intention to acquire Sherpa Clinical Packaging, a provider of clinical trial material management services for clinical studies, including packaging, labeling, distribution, storage and returns and destruction services. Sherpa’s facilities employ cold chain technologies that include handling products requiring labeling and kitting at frozen and refrigerated conditions.
 
PCI provides global molecule-to-market services that span contract development and manufacturing, including specialization in highly complex and potent drugs, clinical supply services and commercial packaging services. Their clinical services include drug development and manufacturing, packaging and labeling, storage and logistical services, including support for Cold Chain and Ultra Cold Chain down to -196°C.  The company is strategically investing in the expansion of its global Clinical Services business and this marks its third acquisition in 12 months.

Contract Pharma spoke with Mark Paiz, Sherpa Clinical Packaging’s President and Founder, on what added benefits the acquisition will bring to PCI’s customers.

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CP: How will Sherpa’s state-of-the art facilities benefit PCI? 

Mark Paiz: Sherpa’s state-of-the art facilities will be used to deliver advanced cold-chain logistics and high quality clinical packaging, labeling, storage and distribution services to our clients. Having these facilities on the west coast will further strengthen PCI’s molecule to market clinical and commercial offerings.  The Sherpa team has focused on providing a very nimble and responsive service to clients, particularly in supporting early phase development, which compliments PCI’s strategy to expand its early phase services for clients in the US as well as around the world.  PCI’s recent expansion into Australia and the Asia Pacific region further underscores this strategic direction.
 
CP: What will Sherpa’s customers gain from the acquisition? 

MP: PCI’s expansive global infrastructure, including global depots and teams, gives Sherpa’s customers more resources to support their drug development for studies in both established and emerging markets around the world. PCI’s large portfolio of services, including drug development, scalable drug manufacturing, as well as advanced Cold Chain and Ultra Cold Chain logistics, provides a more seamless experience as the drug moves from drug manufacturing to clinical and finally to commercial.
 
CP: What were some of the pharma market growth trends behind the acquisition? 

MP: The high concentration of emerging biopharmaceutical companies on the west coast made this acquisition a logical move, as they will benefit from PCI’s portfolio of services.  We see a real market opportunity for clients desiring outstanding customer focused services.  Both Sherpa and PCI have demonstrated that this is a very successful model, and the market response has been noteworthy, fueling considerable growth for both companies.  Sherpa was a natural fit for PCI to get closer to clients in these biopharmaceutical hubs and leverage the synergies of two very customer focused organizations. 
 
CP: What type of expanded capabilities can we expect to see in the months following the acquisition?  

MP: As both companies look to integrate we see tremendous market potential for continued growth.  The San Diego site has added new capacity and capabilities over the past few years and we anticipate further site growth and expansion.   

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Mark Paiz founded Sherpa Clinical Packaging in 2010, bringing his twenty-five years of medical products industry experience to the clinical supply field. He has led commercial, manufacturing, supply chain, quality and product development functions in the biotech industry. He previously served as