The site operator Infrareal wants to take over Takeda's pharmaceutical and biotech site in Orth near Vienna in Lower Austria. The two companies have signed a purchase agreement to this effect. The group is taking over the 24-hectare property from Takeda, including buildings, infrastructure and some pharmaceutical production facilities. The transaction is still subject to the fulfillment of the usual conditions. In addition, the necessary regulatory approvals, including merger control clearance in Austria, are still pending. Takeda announced its intention to divest the gene therapy product division, which is based in Orth, back in February of this year.
“Over the last 40 years and more, Orth an der Donau has developed into a centre of excellence for the pharmaceutical and life science industries, focusing on gene and cell therapy and biologics. Our expertise will help us to further expand the site, and we are hoping to attract more companies from these industries,” explains Dr Martin Egger, CEO and spokesperson for the management of Infrareal.
"With Infrareal, we have found an experienced pharmaceutical and life science site operator who plans to further develop the Orth site and who can build on the existing knowledge. We are pleased to have found a buyer who shares our ambitions for sustainable processes and site decarbonization," said Matt Payne, Head of Global Biologics Operating Unit at Takeda.
Infrareal provides services including site operations and pharmaceutical logistics
Infrareal, through its subsidiary Pharmapark Orth Management, is responsible for all services at the site. These include utilities, waste management, other infrastructure and engineering services, and site development. “One key component of Infrareal's philosophy is that we, as the owner and operator, continue to develop our sites. This also includes marketing any free space, promoting the decarbonisation of our locations and contributing our strengths in pharmaceutical logistics and on-site technology,” says Dr Martin Egger.
Infrareal has many years of experience in the development and operation of pharmaceutical sites. Together with its subsidiaries, Infrareal offers comprehensive industry solutions in the areas of real estate, technology and logistics. 34 Takeda employees in Orth from the infrastructure and technology divisions will transfer to Pharmapark Orth Management. Their local expertise is a great advantage for the operation and further development of the site.
Acquisition advances growth strategy of Infrareal in the German-speaking region
With the planned acquisition, Infrareal is executing its stated strategy of becoming one of the leading operators of pharmaceutical and biotech sites in German-speaking countries. The planned acquisition of the Orth site also serves this purpose. To generate further growth, the existing open spaces will be developed and marketed in addition to the existing buildings and facilities. Through synergies and innovative infrastructure solutions, Infrareal enables cost savings and transparent pricing models, thus creating long-term prospects for the partner companies at the site.
“Together with our owners Swiss Life Asset Managers and Gelsenwasser AG, we will be pursuing a long-term growth strategy for our locations. This creates security for our customers and employees while forming the basis for sustainable development. Orth offers an ideal environment for biopharmaceutical companies,” explains Dr. Martin Egger, referring to the successes in operating the Behringwerke Marburg and the Pharmapark Jena.
Pfizer and Takeda with manufactoring facilities in Orth
The Pharmapark's facilities and infrastructure, with its highly qualified employees and proximity to Vienna Airport and the Austrian capital, make Orth an interesting location for international companies in the biopharmaceutical industry. Pfizer is also based in Orth, alongside Takeda. “We are excited about the new addition to the Infrareal Group and feel certain of the potential of the pharmaceutical and biotech location in Orth,” adds Peter Michael Weimar, COO of Infrareal and Managing Director of Pharmapark Orth Management.
