Catalent Acquires Relthy to Expand South American Softgel Technologies Business

Catalent Pharma Solutions, the global leader in drug development solutions and advanced delivery technologies for pharmaceutical, biologic and consumer health products, today announced the acquisition of Relthy Laboratórios in Brazil. 

Catalent continues to build upon its global leadership position by expanding its operations in Brazil, currently the sixth largest pharmaceutical market in the world, to provide customers in Latin America with access to leading drug delivery technologies. The deal will see Catalent further extend its presence in high growth, emerging markets, having recently announced its expansion into China with softgel and clinical trial supply operations.

Catalent has acquired 100% of the shares in the Indaiatuba-based, privately held company. Founded in 1988, Relthy produces softgel encapsulated vitamin, mineral and supplement (VMS) products for the Brazilian market, but also supplies products in the prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) segments. It employs 350 staff and has a production capacity of around 2 billion capsules per annum.

The deal sees Catalent expanding into the VMS nutritional market and, at the same time, expanding its primary and secondary packaging capabilities in the country. Relthy’s management team will join Catalent and continue to play a leading role in driving Catalent’s expanded capabilities and product development into the Brazilian market as well as expanding them into all other Latin American markets.

Relthy becomes Catalent’s 11th softgel facility in its global network and will complement Catalent’s existing pharmaceutical and OTC focused South American facilities, located in Sorocaba, Brazil and Buenos Aires, Argentina.

“This investment will benefit our domestic and international customers as it draws on both parties’ complementary capabilities to holistically address market needs,” commented Dr Aris Gennadios, President of Softgel Technologies, Catalent Pharma Solutions. “Brazil represents a key strategic location for Catalent and its customers, and this acquisition will create significant growth opportunities.”

Chairman and CEO of Relthy Laboratórios, Paulo Vianna added: “The deal brings together Catalent’s expertise in OTC and Rx manufacturing, deep regulatory compliance knowledge, its global R&D resources and advanced capabilities and combines these with our existing domestic customer base and proven ability to respond to local customer needs and market requirements.”

No other terms of the transactions have been disclosed.