Azurity Pharmaceuticals to Close Massachusetts Plant, Lay Off 75 Employees Amid Manufacturing Strategy Shift

Azurity Pharmaceuticals, a privately held drug reformulation specialist, has announced plans to close its manufacturing facility in Wilmington, Massachusetts, and lay off 75 employees. The move comes as part of a strategic shift in the company's manufacturing approach, reflecting the growth of its commercial portfolio and a focus on specialized production capabilities.

Plant Closure and Layoffs

According to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) alert filed with the state of Massachusetts, Azurity will begin the staff reduction process in mid-September, continuing through December 31, 2025. The company has been gradually winding down production at the Wilmington facility over the past six months, with plans to formally close the plant by the end of 2025.

An Azurity spokesperson explained that the decision to sunset the Massachusetts operations aligns with the company's evolving manufacturing strategy. "Our internal manufacturing has become a smaller part of our overall supply chain, and we are strategically moving our manufacturing of the in-house products to other domestic manufacturing partners," the spokesperson stated.

Shift to Contract Manufacturing

The closure of the Wilmington plant marks a significant shift in Azurity's manufacturing approach. The company has increasingly relied on contract manufacturers for its drug production, a trend that will now extend to its entire product line.

"Most of Azurity's drugs are already produced with the help of contract manufacturers, and in the future, that will be the case for all of our medicines," the spokesperson confirmed. This move allows Azurity to leverage specialized manufacturing capabilities required for its growing commercial portfolio, prioritizing partnerships with experts in specific dosage formats.

Recent Developments and Future Focus

Despite the manufacturing downsizing, Azurity continues to expand in other areas. In March, the company completed its acquisition of Covis Group, converting the specialty drugmaker into a wholly-owned subsidiary. This acquisition comes with its own challenges, as Covis was behind the controversial preterm birth drug Makena, which had its accelerated approval revoked by the FDA in 2023.

Azurity remains committed to its core mission of reformulating established therapeutics for overlooked patient groups. Recent FDA approvals include a new formulation of Novartis' chronic myeloid leukemia drug Tasigna, a liquid version of an epilepsy medication, and a grape-flavored version of the muscle relaxant baclofen for multiple sclerosis patients.

"Azurity continues to evolve, and this move allows us to focus on our core strengths of dose-form innovation at speed and scale, and commercialization of medicines for overlooked patients," the company spokesperson emphasized, underlining Azurity's commitment to its niche in the pharmaceutical industry.