Xellia Pharmaceuticals, a company based in Denmark, is moving its North American headquarters to Raleigh from Illinois. The move means an expansion of the company’s existing operations in the Triangle.
Xeilla announced the move early Thursday.
The move is a bit of good news for the Triangle’s life science industry, which has been hit by layoffs recently at GlaxoSmithKline, the former Salix Pharmaceuticals (which was acquired), Paraxel, Merck and Hospira.
The company is a specialty pharmaceutical firm, focusing on anti-infectives with an emphasis on what it calls “difficult-to-manufacture and develop anti-infective products.” The firm has more than 500 pharmaceutical clients.
Just a year ago, Xellia entered the Raleigh market through the acquisition of a plant operated by Fresenius Kabi. Its previous headquarters was located in Grayslake, Ill.
Jobs are being moved to Raleigh as a result, but the company did not specify how many. Manufacturing and commercial positions will now be consolidated in Raleigh.
“The US is a key market for Xellia and the expansion is part of our long term growth strategy and commitment to manufacturing in the US, for our North American customers,” said Xellia Chief Executive Officer Carl-Åke Carlsson.
“Consolidating our state-of-the-art production facility with our commercial headquarters will enable us to better serve our many customers – both with respect to proximity and working relationship. We are building a stronger, more connected US operation.”
The Raleigh plant had some 80 employees when Xeilla acquired it.
Headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, Xellia has more than 900 employees globally, with operational and manufacturing facilities in Denmark, Hungary and China.
