QuaDPharma

QuaDPharma, LLC operated as a specialized contract manufacturer for the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, focusing on small-batch production. Founded in 2010 and based in Clarence, New York, the company provided a suite of services centered around the formulation and filling of semi-solid and liquid pharmaceuticals.

The firm's business model was to act as a collaborative manufacturing partner, particularly for clients in the pre-commercial and commercial life science markets. QuaDPharma generated revenue by offering its manufacturing facilities and expertise in process development, analytical testing for raw materials or finished goods, and managing product stability programs. Its clientele consisted of pharmaceutical and biotech companies that required cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practice) capabilities for their drug candidates.

The company's core services included formulating liquids and semi-solids in batches up to 1,000 liters. It possessed expertise in handling complex formulations, such as nano-emulsions and biologics. The manufacturing process included fill-and-finish services for a variety of containers like tubes, jars, bottles, and vials, conducted in bioburden-reduced environments compliant with ISO 7 and ISO 8 standards. Supporting these manufacturing capabilities were analytical development and validation laboratories and ICH-compliant stability programs.

QuaDPharma was initially backed by investors including Advantage Capital Partners, Rand Capital, and local angel investors. In a significant milestone, the company was acquired by Kinex Pharmaceuticals Inc. on September 9, 2014. At the time of the acquisition, Dr. Stephen Panaro was the President of QuaDPharma. Kinex, later rebranded as Athenex, saw the acquisition as a strategic move to gain in-house cGMP manufacturing capabilities to support its global growth and pipeline of oncology drug candidates. Following the acquisition, QuaDPharma became known as the Athenex Pharmaceutical Division (APD). However, after facing financial struggles, the parent company Athenex filed for bankruptcy in May 2023, and the assets of the Athenex Pharmaceutical Division were sold to Sagent Pharmaceuticals in June 2023.

Keywords: contract manufacturing, pharmaceutical formulation, semi-solid dosage, liquid dosage forms, fill and finish services, cGMP manufacturing, analytical testing services, pharmaceutical development, clinical supply management, nano-emulsions, biologics formulation, Kinex Pharmaceuticals, Athenex Pharmaceutical Division, Stephen Panaro, small-batch manufacturing, pharmaceutical support, Sagent Pharmaceuticals, life sciences, drug manufacturing, biotech services