Curia (company)

{{Short description|Chemical company}} {{Infobox company| | name = Curia | logo = | foundation = 1991 | founder = Thomas D'Ambra | location = Albany, New York, U.S. | key_people = John Ratliff (Chairman & CEO)<br /> Jason Knoblauch (CFO) | industry = Pharmaceuticals | products = | revenue = {{increase}} $276.6 million (2014)<ref name="files.shareholder.com">{{cite web |url=http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/AMDA-2Y3TH4/460186477x0x823928/C1D2B7AF-9315-423F-A87B-C160301FE407/AMRI2014AnnualReport10K.pdf |title=Archived copy |website=files.shareholder.com |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722044550/http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/AMDA-2Y3TH4/460186477x0x823928/C1D2B7AF-9315-423F-A87B-C160301FE407/AMRI2014AnnualReport10K.pdf |archive-date=22 July 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | operating_income = | net_income = {{decrease}} -$3.3 million (2014)<ref name="files.shareholder.com"/> | assets = {{increase}} $520 million (2014)<ref name="files.shareholder.com"/> | equity = {{increase}} $241.8 million (2014)<ref name="files.shareholder.com"/> | num_employees = | homepage = {{URL|curiaglobal.com}} }}

'''Curia''' (formerly AMRI or Albany Molecular Research Inc.<ref name="curia-rename">{{cite web |title=AMRI becomes Curia |url=https://curiaglobal.com/news/amri-becomes-curia/ |website=Curia |access-date=3 March 2024}}</ref>) is a contract research and manufacturing organization that provides drug discovery, development, cGMP manufacturing and aseptic fill and finish to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Founded in 1991, Curia operates in the United States, Europe and Asia, with its headquarters located in Albany, New York. Curia has announced deals and collaborations with such companies as Pfizer Inc., Merck & Co., Eli Lilly and Company, Takeda, Genentech, Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. and GE.

==Company history and acquisitions== Inaugurated in 1991 as Albany Molecular Research, Inc., AMRI was founded by Thomas E. D’Ambra, Ph.D. and Chester Opalka. As AMRI, the company was a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ from 1999 until 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/lookup|title=Company Search Results|first=Reuters|last=Editorial|website=U.S.}}</ref> AMRI commenced operations with custom synthesis services in laboratory space provided by Siena College. Following this, the company expanded into laboratory space at the Wright Malta Corporation, which was located on the site where Global Foundries new computer chip fabrication plant is located.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nbia.org/resource_library/review_archive/0200_01.php |title=Resource Library - National Business Incubation Association |access-date=2013-07-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130831234322/http://nbia.org/resource_library/review_archive/0200_01.php |archive-date=2013-08-31 |url-status=dead }}</ref> After that, in early 1992, the company consolidated and expanded its operations into laboratory space at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Incubator Annex in Watervliet N.Y. By 1997, the company occupied laboratory space in the C-wing of the SUNY Albany East Campus, which was formerly the Sterling Winthrop Research Institute.<ref>[http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/stories/1997/10/27/tidbits.html?page=all A slip of the pen – The Business Review]</ref> In 1999, through the purchase of Enzymed Inc. (Iowa City, IA), the company added biocatalysis capabilities<ref>{{cite web|url=https://id.icis.com/account/login?returnUrl=%2Fconnect%2Fauthorize%2Fcallback%3Fclient_id%3Dnews.web%26scope%3Dopenid%2520profile%26response_type%3Dcode%26redirect_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.icis.com%252Fsubscriber%252Fnews%252Floggedin%26state%3D%252Fsubscriber%252Fnews%252F1999%252F09%252F20%252F95439%252Falbany-molecular-in-biocatalysis-buy%252F%26nonce%3D49b6607f-4304-42ff-8d3a-d30249ea96f2|title=6452-BARCLAY6452-BARCLAYICIS Login|website=id.icis.com}}</ref> before, AMRI acquired American Advanced Organics, Inc. of Syracuse N.Y. in 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pharmaceuticalonline.com/doc/albany-molecular-acquires-american-advanced-o-0003|title=Albany Molecular Acquires American Advanced Organics|website=www.pharmaceuticalonline.com}}</ref> In 2001, the company added natural product isolation and identification technology through the acquisition of New Chemical Entities of Bothell, WA.<ref>[http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2001/01/22/daily20.html New Chemical Entities purchase completed – Puget Sound Business Journal]</ref> In early 2001, AMRI began leasing space in 30 Corporate Circle, which was fitted out as discovery chemistry laboratory space. The company then purchased two buildings at 24 and 26 Corporate Circle. The original building at 26 was demolished. Construction on a new 26 Corporate Circle building began in November 2002 and AMRI’s new Corporate Headquarters was opened in April 2004.<ref name=autogenerated1>[http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/stories/2001/03/12/daily8.html Albany Molecular buys building for $1.3M - The Business Review]</ref>

AMRI went on to establish offshore subsidiaries, which included the Albany Molecular Research Singapore Research Centre, Pte. Ltd., located in Singapore, and the Albany Molecular Research Hyderabad Research Centre, Pvt. Ltd., located in India (both in 2005).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/42666/albany-molecular-research-inc-establishes-singapore-research-centre.html|title=Albany Molecular Research, Inc. Establishes Singapore Research Centre|website=www.chemeurope.com}}</ref> AMRI acquired the Budapest operations of ComGenex in March 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mfor.hu/cikkek/AMRI_Hungary_re_valtozott_a_ComGenex_neve.html|title=AMRI Hungary-re változott a ComGenex neve - Menedzsment Fórum, mfor.hu|publisher=|access-date=2013-07-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121170157/http://www.mfor.hu/cikkek/AMRI_Hungary_re_valtozott_a_ComGenex_neve.html|archive-date=2016-11-21|url-status=dead}}</ref> In May 2007, the company officially changed its name to AMRI and introduced a new company logo.<ref>[http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/stories/2007/04/30/daily14.html New name for Albany Molecular reflects broader services – The Business Review]</ref> AMRI acquired a number of API and chemical intermediates manufacturing facilities from Ariane Orgachem in Aurangabad, India in 2008<ref>[http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/stories/2008/10/27/daily38.html AMRI expands in India – The Business Review]</ref> then in 2010 AMRI completed the acquisition of Excelsyn in Holywell, U.K.<ref>[http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/stories/2010/02/15/daily26.html AMRI acquires Wales chemical company – The Business Review]</ref> This facility underwent successful inspections by the U.S. Food and Drug Association (FDA) in June 2011, and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in January 2012 allowing for the production of registered intermediates and APIs for human use.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bionity.com/en/news/136047/mhra-issues-gmp-certification-to-amri-uk-facility.html|title=MHRA Issues GMP Certification to AMRI UK Facility|website=www.bionity.com}}</ref> After this AMRI expanded into the aseptic fill and finish business, acquiring the parenteral dosage form manufacturing business Hyaluron, located in Burlington, Massachusetts (USA).<ref>[http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/stories/2010/06/14/daily13.html AMRI buys Mass. drug manufacturer for $27M - The Business Review]</ref> In early 2012, the company ended operations in Budapest, Hungary, moving most of the operations to the new parallel synthesis and purification laboratories Hyderabad facility.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.outsourcing-pharma.com/Article/2012/03/22/AMRI-to-end-operations-at-Hungary-site-by-next-Friday|title=AMRI to end operations at Hungary site by next Friday|last=outsourcing-pharma.com|website=outsourcing-pharma.com}}</ref> In November 2012, AMRI announced that it would close the Bothell, Washington, site and would transition the sites biology capabilities to Singapore.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.outsourcing-pharma.com/Article/2012/12/03/AMRI-to-close-Bothell-site-and-shift-work-to-Asia|title=AMRI to close Bothell site and shift work to Singapore|last=outsourcing-pharma.com|website=outsourcing-pharma.com}}</ref> In December 2012, New York State announced plans to invest $50 million in biomedical research equipment and facilities and secured an agreement with AMRI to locate a new drug discovery R&D facility at the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.<ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite web|url=https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-presented-buffalo-billion-investment-development-plan|title=Governor Cuomo Presented with Buffalo Billion Investment Development Plan|date=28 September 2014|website=Governor Andrew M. Cuomo|access-date=3 June 2019|archive-date=3 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603003419/https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-presented-buffalo-billion-investment-development-plan|url-status=dead}}</ref> In December 2012, AMRI Rensselaer was awarded a $200,000 Empire State Development Corporation grant for the expansion of the diagnostic imaging agent project.<ref>http://capitalregionopenforbusiness.com/Libraries/Documents/PriorityProjectsNarrative09_10_12.sflb.ashx {{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

AMRI completed an initial public offering in February 1999, raising $56.3 million and listing as AMRI on the Nasdaq.<ref>[http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/stories/1999/03/08/daily6.html Albany Molecular's IPO underwriters buy over-allotment shares - The Business Review]</ref> The company also completed a secondary public offering in October 2000, generating further net proceeds of $119.5 million.<ref>[http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/stories/2000/10/02/daily22.html Abany Molecular opens stock sale – The Business Review]</ref> AMRI’s Allegra patent applications, from 1995, and the resulting patents were licensed to what is now Sanofi-Aventis. The company continues to receive royalties on the sale of Allegra and Telfast products globally.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pharmamedtechbi.com/deals/199520664|title=HMR licenses Albany Molecular's TAM patents :: Strategic Transactions :: Pharma & Medtech Business Intelligence|website=www.pharmamedtechbi.com}}</ref>

In June 2014, AMRI acquired OsoBio Pharmaceuticals, a contract manufacturer specializing in aseptic filling, for $110 million.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Brennan|first1=Zachary|title=AMRI buys commercial manufacturer OsoBio for $110m|url=http://www.outsourcing-pharma.com/Contract-Manufacturing/AMRI-buys-commercial-manufacturer-OsoBio-for-110m|work=Outsourcing-Pharma.com|date=3 June 2014}}</ref>

In February 2015, AMRI acquired SSCI based in West Lafayette, Indiana. SSCI was founded in 1991, providing comprehensive cGMP solid state chemistry research and analytical services to the pharmaceutical industry. Servicing more than 250 customers a year.<ref>{{cite web|title = About SSCI|url = http://ssci-inc.com/Information/AboutSSCI/tabid/106/Default.aspx|website = ssci-inc.com|accessdate = 2015-12-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|title = AMRI to Acquire Aptuit Drug Product Development and Aseptic Clinical Manufacturing Businesses|url = https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/amri-to-acquire-aptuit-drug-product-development-and-aseptic-clinical-manufacturing-businesses-300018284.html|website = www.prnewswire.com|accessdate = 2015-12-19}}</ref>

In July 2015, the company acquired Gadea Pharmaceutical group for $174 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.genengnews.com/news/amri-acquires-gadea-for-174m/|title=AMRI Acquires Gadea for $174M|date=16 July 2015|publisher=}}</ref>

In June 2017 management of AMRI and two private equity firms, The Carlyle Group and GTCR, agreed to sell AMRI to the firms for $21.75 per share, around $1.5 billion, taking the company private. AMRI was weighed down with debt from recent acquisitions and was struggling to make a profit; the arrangement awaited approval of shareholders and regulators.<ref name=CEN2017>{{cite news|last1=McCoy|first1=Michael|title=Contract manufacturer AMRI to go private |url=http://cen.acs.org/articles/95/i24/Contract-manufacturer-AMRI-to-go-private.html|work=Chemical & Engineering News|date=June 12, 2017}}</ref> This agreement was part of a burst of M&A activity in the CRO industry, with Lonza Group acquiring Capsugel for around $5.5 billion and Thermo Fisher Scientific buying Patheon for $7.2 billion.<ref name=CEN2017/>

In July 2021, AMRI changed its name to Curia.<ref name="curia-rename"/>

In September 2021, the company acquired Integrity Bio and LakePharma, a biologics research, development, and manufacturing organization, for undisclosed amounts. LakePharma's co-founder and CEO, Hua Tu, joined Curia's executive team as the Chief Technology Officer.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-02 |title=Curia Completes Acquisition of LakePharma |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210902005061/en/Curia-Completes-Acquisition-of-LakePharma |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=www.businesswire.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-04 |title=Curia Completes Acquisition of Integrity Bio |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005118/en/Curia-Completes-Acquisition-of-Integrity-Bio |access-date=2023-02-09 |website=www.businesswire.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Scientific collaborations ==

In July 1997, AMRI received a $100,000 grant from the National Cancer Institute to “design and synthesize compounds that inhibit a class of enzymes responsible for regulation of the cell cycle”.<ref>[http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/stories/1997/07/21/daily4.html Local firm gets grant from National Cancer Institute – The Business Review]</ref> AMRI then extended a deal in 2001 with Pfizer for three additional years to “provide chemistry, research, development and analytical services”.<ref>{{cite web |title=Albany Molecular signs new pact with Pfizer |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/stories/2001/12/17/daily3.html |website=American City Business Journals |date=2001-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919054950/https://www.bizjournals.com/albany/stories/2001/12/17/daily3.html |archive-date=2018-09-19 |url-status=live}}</ref> AMRI entered into a 3-year deal with Merck and Co. to “perform medicinal chemistry research and help design and synthesize compounds” in June 2002<ref name=autogenerated1 /> before, in May 2004, AMRI was awarded a three-year contract to manufacture potential treatments for substance abuse by the National Institute of Drug Abuse.<ref>[http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/stories/2004/05/10/daily7.html Albany Molecular gets $3M contract for drug abuse treatment - The Business Review]</ref> In April 2007, AMRI took a lead role in a three-year, multidisciplinary research program, the CancerGrid Project, funded by the European Commission.<ref>[http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/stories/2007/04/23/daily36.html Lead role for Albany Molecular in international drug discovery effort – The Business Review]</ref> and went on to receive a multi-year National Institutes of Health (NIH) contract Award for the “development of pre-clinical drug candidates to treat diseases of the nervous system” in August 2011.<ref>[http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/news/2011/08/19/amri-awarded-nih-contract-worth-43M.html AMRI awarded NIH contract worth as much as $43M - The Business Review]</ref>

In October 2012, AMRI announced a five-year extension of an API supply agreement with Shire for an undisclosed product.<ref>[https://archive.today/20130708131532/http://www.thestreet.com/story/11741820/1/amri-announces-five-year-extension-of-api-supply-agreement-with-shire.html AMRI Announces Five-Year Extension Of API Supply Agreement With Shire - TheStreet]</ref> In December 2012, AMRI announced a multi-year extension of a commercial supply relationship with GE Healthcare to provide Aminobisamide (ABA), a key intermediate used in several diagnostic imaging agents.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rdmag.com/news/2012/12/amri-extends-long-term-supply-relationship-ge-healthcare|title=AMRI Extends Long Term Supply Relationship with GE Healthcare|date=6 December 2012|website=Research & Development}}</ref>

==Awards and nominations==

* AMRI's then-CEO, Tom D’Ambra, was named as a national finalist for the 2003 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the Life Sciences category.<ref>[http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/stories/2003/11/24/daily11.html Albany Molecular CEO was finalist for entrepreneur award – The Business Review]</ref> * In May 2007, AMRI received the Excellence in Business Award at the New York State Investors Conference.<ref name=autogenerated3>{{cite web|url=https://blog.timesunion.com/business/date/2007/04/page/5/|title=2007 April Archive - The Buzz: Business news - page 5|website=blog.timesunion.com}}</ref> * Dr. D’Ambra was inducted into the Tech Valley Business Hall of Fame in May 2008.<ref name=autogenerated3 /> * In August 2010, AMRI received the Pfizer Route Design Innovation Award.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.manufacturingchemist.com/news/article_page/AMRI_receives_Pfizer_Route_Design_Innovation_Award/56339|title=AMRI receives Pfizer Route Design Innovation Award|website=www.manufacturingchemist.com}}</ref> * In 2021, AMRI received CMO Leadership Awards across the performance categories Compatibility, Expertise, Quality, Reliability and Service based on small pharma respondents in primary market research conducted by Industry Standard Research (ISR).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cmoleadershipawards.com/#winners|title=CMO Leadership Awards|website=www.cmoleadershipawards.com}}</ref>

== References == {{Reflist}}

Category:Pharmaceutical companies of the United States Category:Health care companies based in New York (state) Category:The Carlyle Group companies Category:Contract development and manufacturing organizations