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Global CDMO AMRI Rebrands as Curia and Sets Sights on Biologics

Global CDMO AMRI Rebrands as Curia and Sets Sights on Biologics

As part of a rebrand, leading contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) Albany Molecular Research, Inc. (AMRI) has changed its name to Curia.

AMRI says the name change reflects and emphasizes the company’s strategic positioning as an end-to-end global CDMO that offers scientific expertise and capabilities that range from research and development (R&D) through to commercial manufacturing.

The company’s new brand identity includes a new website, curiaglobal.com, that features the tagline, “From curiosity to cure” that plays on the Curia name.

The name Curia is based on a Latin word for purposeful assembly and aligns with Curia’s patient-inspired mission.

AMRI was founded 30 years ago in Albany, New York. In its early days, it became best known for the discovery and development of the active ingredient in the allergy medication Allegra.

To seemingly position itself as a more global player, the company has dropped its legacy locale of Albany from its name as it transitions to the Roman name Curia. The official name change was effective as of July 12, 2021.

Curia has more than 3,000 employees across its 21 locations around the world. The company has 564 active patents and has produced more than 20 treatments that are included on the list of essential medicines from the World Health Organization.


Related: AMRI Signs Supply Agreement with AstraZeneca to Manufacture COVID-19 Vaccine


“Our new name reflects the assembled deep expertise of our people, the breadth of our products, services and solutions, and our relentless determination to help customers advance from curiosity to cure,” said Curia chairman and CEO John Ratliff in a company news release.

“Our new brand honors our foundation in research and innovation while creating a platform for our ambitions of life-changing science so we can make ever-growing contributions to improving patients’ lives. Over the past three decades we have broadened and deepened our capabilities to become a leading provider of CDMO solutions. Today marks the beginning of the next chapter in our history.”

AMRI’s name changeover was orchestrated by VSA Partners, a brand strategy and design agency that has worked with a wide range of global stalwarts like Google, Nike, IBM and Molson.

“That assembly of minds toward the greater good was the idea behind the name,” said Mike Walsh, VSA’s client engagement head. “We also really liked curiosity and cure and that led to the tagline ‘From curiosity to cure.’ ”

Curia’s brand colors include the pairing of a bright purple/plum with yellow. The bright colors are intended to help Curia stand out in the CDMO crowd, balancing the seriousness of the work with “the optimism of the color palette,” Walsh said.

Curia’s logo pays tribute to AMRI’s historical use of a molecule, an image of which is placed atop the “i” in Curia.

Along with the name change, Curia has also been busy with acquisitions supporting its entry into the global biologics space. It recently announced a deal to acquire LakePharma Inc., which closed yesterday. It also bought biologics formulation and fill-finish company Integrity Bio in July, which is expected to close towards the end of this year.

The company also announced an expansion of its commercial manufacturing capacity at its Rensselaer, New York facility. Increasing manufacturing capabilities of complex Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) will further strengthen Curia’s ability to partner with customers, meeting small-scale to large-volume requirements with reliable delivery, says the company.

Xtalks has hosted webinars by AMRI on their expertise in high potency APIs (HPAPI) development and manufacturing:

High Potency API Maintaining Best Practices Through Continuous Improvement and Lessons Learned

Choosing the Right CDMO for HPAPI Development & Manufacturing