NORWALK, Conn., Dec. 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Thursday, December 1^st, 2016 was an important day for the 210 people employed to produce life-saving medicines at Avlon near Bristol, UK as they joined Avara Pharmaceutical Services upon the completion of the acquisition from AstraZeneca.

Previously owned by AstraZeneca, the site was earmarked for closure due to the changing market dynamics of the pharmaceutical industry.

Avara has four other sites and has ambitious plans to continue to expand its network around the world. At Avlon they plan to invest and develop the business to serve the rapidly growing contract pharmaceutical manufacturing demands, ending five years of uncertainty for employees.

At a celebration event with employees, Avara’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Tim Tyson said: “The team at Avlon are experienced and talented pharmaceutical manufacturing professionals who operate a high quality facility. We are delighted to be able to acquire this world class capability and to transition this AstraZeneca center of excellence into an international pharmaceutical services center of world-wide excellence. We have confidence in transitioning Avlon into the Avara network rapidly and building a long term, profitable growth business at this site.”

Marc Jones, Executive Vice President Europe at AstraZeneca added: “I’d like to wholeheartedly thank the team at Avlon for their hard work and dedication even when they faced the closure of their site. I wish them and Avara every success in the future.”

During the day employees met the executive team at Avara and shared the unveiling of the new site signs as well as attending a celebration lunch.

About Avara

Avara Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., based in Norwalk, Connecticut is an international pharmaceutical services company that delivers world class contract manufacturing and technical services to the pharmaceutical industry. Avara has primary and secondary manufacturing facilities in North America and Europe and supplies products to all major markets around the world. Our broad experience with supply chain, commercialization, product launch and product transfer allows us to sustain exemplary levels of product quality and regulatory compliance. We are known to exceed customer service level expectations and consistently deliver on time, in full at a fair price. For more information, please visit our website at www.avara.com.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three main therapy areas – Respiratory & Autoimmunity, Cardiovascular & Metabolic Diseases, and Oncology. The Company is also active in inflammation, infection and neuroscience through numerous collaborations. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information please visit: www.astrazeneca.com

Media Contact: Guy Tiene, guy@thatsnice.com, 212-366-4455

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SOURCE Avara Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.