Kelso Pharma acquires ALTURiX to expand UK specialty pharma business

Kelso Pharma, the growing specialty pharma business, today (19) announced the acquisition of ALTURiX Holdings Limited (ALTURiX), further strengthening its presence in the UK market.

This marks Kelso Pharma’s third acquisition, following its purchases of Stirling Anglian Pharmaceuticals in January 2022 and Velit Biopharma in January 2024.

ALTURiX, based in Milton Keynes, England, currently has seven branded medicines in the UK market, spanning therapeutic areas including central nervous system, respiratory disease, and endocrinology.

With two additional pipeline products set to launch in the next 12 months, the acquisition will expand Kelso Pharma’s UK portfolio to 11 products, accelerating its strong revenue growth.

The ALTURiX portfolio complements Kelso Pharma’s existing range, which is marketed through Stirling Anglian Pharmaceuticals, based in Scotland, and Velit Biopharma, headquartered in Italy

All ALTURiX staff are expected to remain with the business post-acquisition, with its co-founders working alongside the Kelso team to ensure a smooth transition and continued supply of medicines to patients.

Dr. Tom Stratford, CEO of Kelso Pharma, highlighted the significance of the acquisition, stating that ALTURiX shares their philosophy of “improving the lives of patients in a cost-effective and ethical way.”

“This is a milestone acquisition for Kelso Pharma, doubling the size of our UK business and building a pharma company of scale.

“The Kelso platform is now positioned for further international growth as we seek to expand the markets for ALTURiX’s products, as well as further enhancing Kelso Pharma’s position as a partner of choice for other pharma businesses and innovative products,” he added.

Kelso Pharma Board members

Kelso Pharma is backed by Apposite Capital LLP (“Apposite”), the private equity firm that invests in high potential commercial stage healthcare companies across Europe, with 13 healthcare businesses in its current investment portfolio.

Sam Gray, managing partner at Apposite, expressed strong support for the acquisition:

“We are pleased to support this next strategic move for Kelso Pharma as its experienced management team builds a specialty pharma business of scale,” he said.

Reflecting on the transition, Simon Fisher, co-founder of ALTURiX, shared: “My late father-in-law shaped the first foundation steps of this company some 27 years ago. Over time, coupled with an unrelenting desire for growth, it has grown each year and since his passing in 2014, the company has transformed and transitioned into what is ALTURiX today, the result being far from what I am sure John could have imagined possible.

“Fit was a critical aspect in deciding the future of the company and we are pleased to be handing ALTURiX over to Dr Tom Stratford and welcome his capable team at Kelso Pharma.”

He believes that Kelso Pharma is “ideally structured, suitably resourced and culturally aligned” to drive the company further on its exciting growth trajectory, ensuring the best future interests of both patients and prescribers alike.

Kelso Pharma noted that this acquisition represents a significant step towards its vision of “building a specialty pharma business of scale in the UK and ultimately across Europe.”