AJ Biologics agrees to acquire SSI vaccine production business from theDanish state

AJ Pharma makes its first acquisition in Denmark, creating an independent entity from the state-owned SSI vaccine production business through its subsidiary, AJ Biologics.
This will open new avenues for growth and employment for the Danish business and expand at a global level

Mrs Pia Lading, Executive Vice President of Statens Serum Institut, Dr Pierre Morgon

Seated, left to right : Klaus Hermansen, CEO AJ Vaccines, Mustafa Farooki, CFO Aljomiah, Sheik Abdulaziz Aljomiah, Chairman Akjomiah, Dr Tabassum Khan, Chairman AJ Vaccines, Dr Mads Melbye, CEO Statens Serum Institute. Standing, left to right : Dr Pierre Morgon, Advisor to the CEO and to the Chairman, Monica Reib, Partner Bech-Bruun, Selvam Ramaraj, Director AJ Pharma Holding.

AJ Pharma, the healthcare investment arm of Aljomiah Group, has agreed with the State of Denmark to acquire SSI vaccine production business, an internationally recognized vaccine manufacturing player, producing strategic vaccines such as IPV for Polio and BCG.
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SSI vaccine production business has its facility in Copenhagen, Denmark, and is a distinct business unit of the Statens Serum Institut, a public enterprise under the Danish Ministry of Health. This transaction will make SSI vaccine business an independent, privately held entity, with more opportunities for growth expansion and employment.
The Aljomaih Group was founded in 1936 and has since grown to become one of the top conglomerates in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Group has been active in Healthcare through its investment arm AJ Pharma Holding, and its subsidiaries such as AJ Biologics. AJ Biologics is Malaysia’s first vaccine company, with a formulation and fill & finish manufacturing facility, located in Kuala Lumpur, aiming to supply the local, regional and global markets with a range of selected vaccines. In collaboration with strategic partners in Asia, AJ Biologics has also embarked on co-development projects for the development of vaccines such as EV71 against Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease, and MCV4 - which is free of components of animal origin – against meningococcal meningitis.

Dr Tabassum Khan, Managing Director of AJ Pharma Holding and Chaiman of AJ Biologics says “We are impressed by the vaccine portfolio and manufacturing expertise that SSI has built over the years and with its heritage and positioning at the core of public health across many countries. Further to our analysis, supported by our advisors, including NNE Pharmaplan, Bech-Bruun and KPMG, we see significant opportunities for growth acceleration, as well as partnerships and business
synergies.

We wish to develop and expand the vaccine business in Denmark and abroad. Being part of the SSI campus in Copenhagen and its research environment will be pivotal to our strategy and plans going forward. We will strive to build on the strengths of the employees to realise the company's growth potential. Our vision is that our investment plan will leverage the assets of the company and its dedicated employees to get back to a key position among vaccine companies and to fulfil a public health
mission within the field of vaccines both in Denmark and worldwide. 

We are looking forward to working with the experienced employees we have met already – and also the ones we have not met yet, and to leverage their knowledge base in public health in general and in vaccinology in particular”.
The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2016.

About Aljomiah Group
Aljomiah Group plays a leading role in consumer, commercial and industrial sectors within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and internationally. Covering a large portfolio of companies including manufacturing, international investments, oil and gas and engineering, the group manages each of these portfolios via specialized divisions, joint venture partnerships, and long established business relationships with leading international corporations such as Shell Oil, Pepsi-Cola, Yokohama Tires and General Motors.

The Aljomaih Group has a combined balance sheet of approximately USD 5 Billion. In 2013, the Aljomaih Group decided to form a wholly owned investment holding group known as AJ Pharma Holding in Malaysia as the country was identified as holding significant growth potential in the healthcare sector, and have to date committed over USD 100 million in biopharmaceutical investments, including vaccines.

For further information:
Dr. Tabassum KHAN, Managing Director, AJ Pharma Holding, M: +971 50 39 69 233
Mr. Klaus HERMANSEN, Management Consultant, Advisor to the Chairman, M: +45 3079 3125
Dr. Pierre MORGON, Vaccine Expert, Advisor to the Chairman, M: +6019 666 3707