Zambon to acquire UK respiratory specialist Profile Pharma

Family-owned Italian drugmaker Zambon has taken a significant step to grow in the respiratory therapy area, with the planned acquisition of UK-based Profile Pharma from present owner the Philips Group. Financial details of this transaction will not be disclosed.

With this acquisition of Profile Pharma (headquartered in Chichester, West Sussex), Zambon marks the beginning of the implementation of its growth strategy, which with other activities, has strengthened its product portfolio in the active and dynamic respiratory sector with products for moderate to severe illness.

Profile Pharma, originally acquired by Philips as part of the Respironics acquisition in 2008, has an excellent reputation for its advancements in the field of rare diseases, and in particular its fight against cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic and life threatening disease, noted Zambon. Profile Pharma successfully introduced Promixin (colistin) to the market, a drug for bronchial infections in CF which is administered both via nebulization or injection. Due to its strong growth potential, the company is aiming to become a world leader in the treatment of this disease.