Granules India enters CDMO biz by acquiring Senn Chemicals AG

Granules India has forayed into the high growing peptide segment and contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) business by signing an acquisition agreement with Swiss-based Senn Chemicals AG. The cost of acquisition is swiss francs 20 million (or ₹192.5 crore), as per the company. The deal is expected to occur in the first half of 2025, subject to certain conditions.

Senn develops and manufactures, peptides and peptides based applications for its global customers, providing contract research, development, and manufacturing services.

“The acquisition brings Senn’s expertise in Liquid-Phase Peptide Synthesis (LPPS) and Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis (SPPS), along with a strong CDMO business and established customer relationship, including innovators and brand owners across Pharma, Cosmetics, Amino Acid Derivatives (AAD) & theragnostic segments,” the company said in a release.

As per the company, the acquisition will enable Granules’ acquiring capabilities into high-growth peptide-based therapeutics. “The acquisition aligns with Granules’ vision to enter the rapidly expanding peptide-based anti-diabetic and anti-obesity market, including GLP-1 receptor agonists and other next-generation therapeutics,” the release noted.

"The acquisition of Senn Chemicals AG marks a significant milestone in Granules' strategic growth journey. By entering the rapidly growing peptide therapeutics segment and acquiring CDMO capabilities, we are expanding into next-generation therapeutics that align with our commitment to innovation and affordability,” said Krishna Prasad Chigurupati, Chairman & Managing Director, Granules India.

Granules and Senn have been developing two GLP-1 based APIs, and both the projects are progressing well, and more peptide-based APIs are planned to be added in the portfolio, to be developed using Senn’s R&D capabilities.

The acquisition marks Granules foray into CDMO segments, leveraging Senn’s existing CDMO business and customer relationships, on back of its R&D and manufacturing platform.

With this transaction, Granules will leverage Senn’s European presence and innovation-driven peptide platform to accelerate its CDMO expansion and meet the fast-growing demand for Amino Acid Derivative (AAD), peptide fragments, and peptide-based therapeutics. Senn presence in Europe, provides access to a skilled R&D talent pool and regulated market clients, further strengthening Granules’ global footprint.

By integrating Senn’s capabilities with Granules’ expertise in large-scale, cost-efficient manufacturing, Granules aim to become a key player in development and manufacturing of peptide-based applications across Pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and theragnostic segments industries, spanning the entire value chain from AADs and Peptide fragments to peptide-based active ingredients.