The pharmaceutical manufacturing industry in North Carolina homes a variety of companies dedicated to the development, production and packaging of pharmaceutical products. These companies play a crucial role in both the health sector and global economy, contributing significantly to drug research, development, and testing. They utilize sophisticated technologies to produce a broad spectrum of medicines including biologics, oral capsules, and parenteral drugs. Forward-looking, they continuously improve their procedures to produce high-quality, reliable products. The pharmaceutical industry in North Carolina is a significant player in the global pharma sector and showing no signs of slowing down, projecting ascending trends for the future.


Top 19 pharmaceutical manufacturing companies in North Carolina

1. Alcami Corporation

  • Website: alcaminow.com
  • Headquarters: Wilmington, North Carolina, United States
  • Founded: 1979
  • Headcount: 501-1000
  • Latest funding type: Acquired
  • LinkedIn

Alcami Corporation is a pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that offers comprehensive solutions to the biotech and pharmaceutical industry. They provide services across the entire life-cycle of products, including formulation development, analytical development, drug product manufacturing, packaging, labeling, and biostorage. With expertise in oral solid dosage forms, they support preclinical production through commercial launch. Alcami has recently invested $10 million to expand its laboratory operation, enhancing capabilities for biologics characterization and parenteral manufacturing projects.


2. KBI Biopharma

  • Website: kbibiopharma.com
  • Headquarters: Durham, North Carolina, United States
  • Founded: 1996
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Latest funding type: Series Unknown
  • LinkedIn

KBI Biopharma is a biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing organization (CDMO) that offers end-to-end services for the development and manufacturing of biologics. With a global presence and expertise in cell line development, process development, and manufacturing, the company is known for tackling challenging biologics projects to help clients reach the clinic faster.


3. Qualicaps

  • Website: qualicaps.com
  • Headquarters: Whitsett, North Carolina, United States
  • Founded: 1992
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Latest funding type: Acquired
  • LinkedIn

Qualicaps is a global company specializing in the production of capsules for pharmaceutical and wellbeing purposes. They offer reliable machinery and precision-engineered two-piece capsules to meet the emerging needs of the pharmaceutical and nutritional markets.


4. BestCo

  • Website: bestco.com
  • Headquarters: Mooresville, North Carolina, United States
  • Founded: 1988
  • Headcount: 501-1000
  • LinkedIn

BestCo is a leading developer and manufacturer of dietary supplements and over-the-counter drugs. With a focus on high-quality products, they offer innovative dosage forms such as lozenges, soft chews, and SuperGels. Their unique manufacturing process enables the use of drug ingredients and reduces the risk of cross-contamination. BestCo is committed to attracting a diverse workforce and achieving continued success and growth.


5. Quality Chemical Laboratories

Quality Chemical Laboratories is a pharmaceutical development company offering a wide range of services such as raw materials analysis, stability testing, and organic synthesis. They provide tailored specialty services to meet the specific needs of their clients.


6. Ironshore

  • Website: ironshorepharma.com
  • Headquarters: Global, North Carolina, United States
  • Founded: 2008
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Latest funding type: Private Equity
  • LinkedIn

Ironshore Pharma is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development and commercialization of innovative medications. With a focus on ADHD, CNS, GI, diabetes, and obesity markets, Ironshore Pharma offers a range of products to improve patient outcomes. The company is dedicated to delivering excellence and upholding ethical standards.


7. Tergus Pharma

Tergus Pharma is a global leader in the development, validation, testing, and manufacturing of semisolid dosage forms. They offer formulation development, analytical method development, and laboratory services. With expertise in drug delivery dynamics, they provide insights into skin permeation and IVRT (Franz Diffusion) studies. Tergus specializes in process validation, scale-up, and commercial manufacturing of topical pharmaceuticals. They strive for quality and compliance through cGMP testing services. Tergus Pharma offers customized services for filling and packaging and is known for its expertise in highly potent API's.


8. Bright Path Laboratories

  • Website: brightpathlabs.com
  • Headquarters: Kannapolis, North Carolina, United States
  • Founded: 2019
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Latest funding type: Debt Financing
  • LinkedIn

Bright Path Labs is an American pharmaceutical manufacturing company that aims to develop and produce safe, sustainable, and affordable medicine for all. They use advanced technology to re-shore the American Pharmaceutical Industry.


9. AvacaPharma

Avaca Pharma is a company that specializes in providing pharmaceutical products and services. They offer a wide range of medications and healthcare solutions to meet the needs of both individuals and healthcare professionals.


10. Axcellerate, North Carolina facility

Axcellerate Pharma provides high quality CRO and CDMO services, with capabilities in organic synthesis, analytical methods development and biological services. They are ideally positioned to accommodate drug product development activities as well as the manufacture of early cGMP clinical supplies of drug substance and sterile drug product for both large and small molecules.


11. BioPharma Business Development

Biopharmabusiness.com is a biopharma firm that provides product information to patients and healthcare professionals for EU medicines. They also focus on cancer research, drug development, and clinical trials.


12. The Compounding Pharmacy

The Compounding Pharmacy is a full-service compounding pharmacy based in Hickory, NC. They are licensed in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Florida, and Georgia. They specialize in the formulation of drugs that are not commercially available, using advanced technology to ensure medications meet exact specifications.


13. Metrics Contract Services

Metrics Contract Services is a science-led contract development and manufacturing organization that helps customers take their complex novel oral solid dosage forms from concept to global commercialization.


14. Exela Pharma Sciences LLC

  • Website: exelapharma.com
  • Headquarters: Lenoir, North Carolina, United States
  • Founded: 2005
  • Headcount: 501-1000
  • Latest funding type: Corporate Round
  • LinkedIn

Exela Pharma is an emerging specialty pharmaceutical company that offers affordable and reliable sterile, injectable products. They prioritize quality in their pure supply chain and strive for medication accessibility for all patients.


15. Synteract

  • Website: synteract.com
  • Headquarters: Morrisville, North Carolina, United States
  • Founded: 1986
  • Headcount: 501-1000
  • Latest funding type: Acquired
  • LinkedIn

Synteract®, a Syneos Health® company, is a leading full service CRO focused on the emerging biopharma segment. The Company’s multidisciplinary teams support biotech and pharmaceutical companies across all phases of drug development, providing deep expertise in oncology, dermatology, general medicine, infectious disease and vaccines, neuroscience, pediatrics, and rare and orphan diseases. Synteract has conducted nearly 4,000 studies on six continents in over 62 countries.


16. Industry Standard Research

  • Website: isrreports.com
  • Headquarters: Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
  • Founded: 2008
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

ISR Reports is a market research company specializing in the pharmaceutical industry. They offer syndicated and custom research services to help companies better understand their customers, markets, products, services, and employees.


17. Bourne Partners

Bourne Partners is a healthcare and life science investment banking firm that provides expertise in corporate M&A, product M&A, product licensing, and capital raising. They offer experienced execution teams, deep industry knowledge, and strategic advisory services to maximize the value of companies in the healthcare sector.


18. Sequence Inc.

  • Website: sequenceqcs.com
  • Headquarters: Morrisville, North Carolina, United States
  • Founded: 2002
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • LinkedIn

Sequence-Quality and Compliance Services is a premier pharmaceutical consulting company that specializes in providing strategically driven commissioning and qualification solutions to propel your project and accelerate time to market. With over 20 years of experience, our full-time consultants improve the process of bringing life-changing therapies to life, helping life sciences companies launch critical pharmaceutical projects. Our services include commissioning and qualification, digital solutions, and full lifecycle support.


19. Tanner Pharma Group

Tanner Pharma Group is a global healthcare organization that provides solutions to enable better health by ensuring access to medicines, even in challenging situations. They offer access solutions, including expanded access programs, compassionate use, post-trial supply, and early access programs. With a focus on reducing the risk of infection in leukemia patients, Tanner Pharma Group collaborates with pharmaceutical companies and patient groups to facilitate equitable access to lifesaving medications.


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