US private equity firm Ampersand Capital Partners has acquired Purna Pharmaceuticals, a Belgian contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specializing in liquid and semi-solid drug formulations.
The deal strengthens Ampersand’s life sciences portfolio and establishes a trans-Atlantic partnership between Purna and MedPharm, Ampersand’s UK-based topical and transdermal drug development platform.
The acquisition marks a new growth phase for Purna, founded in 1986 and known for serving top-10 pharma multinationals alongside biotech startups.
"Ampersand’s support will help us expand capacity and innovation to better serve our global clients", said Bart Peeters, Purna’s CEO. The company will maintain its customer-first approach while leveraging Ampersand’s resources and network.
A key strategic benefit is the collaboration with MedPharm, creating a seamless trans-Atlantic service offering for topical and transdermal drug development. "Our complementary capabilities will deliver greater value to clients", noted Bill Humphries, MedPharm’s CEO. The partnership positions both companies as a preferred global provider in their niche.
Purna’s previous investor, Belgian private equity firm Creafund, supported the company for over a decade. "Ampersand is the right partner for Purna’s next chapter", said Ruth De Wulf, Creafund Partner. Achelous Partners advised Purna on the transaction, while financial details remain undisclosed.
This deal underscores Ampersand’s focus on European life sciences and highlights Belgium’s growing role as a hub for pharma contract services. The combined expertise of Purna and MedPharm is expected to accelerate innovation in topical drug delivery for global clients.
