Fertin Pharma
Based on a long history in chewing gum and a strong commitment to quality and innovation, Fertin Pharma is a world leading expert in the development and manufacturing of medicated chewing gum. The company is based in Vejle, Denmark, and currently employs approximately 600 people.[1]. EQT Mid Market (Private Equity) acquired Fertin Pharma in 2017. The Bagger-Sørensen family still has a shareholding of 30%.
History
The story of Fertin Pharma begins in the early part of the 20th century. In 1915 Holger Sorensen founded Vejle Caramel- og Tabletfabrik, and the company’s first chewing gum was introduced to the market in 1927. In 1939 the brand name Dandy appeared for the first time. In 1978 the Bagger-Sorensen Group bought the Swedish company Fertin, known for their V6 chewing gum sold in Switzerland and Sweden. Fertin was set up as a Dandy Group subsidiary to undertake research and development into chewing gum as a drug delivery system, on the basis of Dandy's existing expertise.
In the early nineties Fertin started producing nicotine gum, which quickly became the company’s most important product. In 2001 Fertin was completely detached from Gumlink as Fertin Pharma became an independent company.
In 2011 Fertin Pharma opened a Research & Development centre in Mumbai, India, to aid in the development of new chewing gum technologies and 2013 was the year Fertin Pharma upgraded the existing GMP approved factory to a state-of-the-art factory for the European market. In 2014, Fertin Pharma established the Nicotine Science Center. The center’s aim is to enable the development of more effective Nicotine Replacement Therapy products in order to increase the success rates for tobacco cessation. Also in 2014 Fertin Pharma established nicotine chewing gum manufacturing facility in Goa, India. The 2200 sq mtr, state-of-the-art facility features a dedicated production area, Quality Control Lab and a Microbiology Lab for the manufacture and testing of medicated chewing gum in compliance with cGMP. The Indian facility supplies products to the domestic market with future plans for export to emerging markets. Commercial manufacturing commenced March 2016.
In January 2017, EQT Mid Market (Private Equity) acquired Fertin Pharma; the Bagger-Sørensen family re-invested for 30% shareholding.
Related companies: MedCanPharma, TabLabs, Nicotine Science Center