Consort Medical's (CRST) acquisition of drugs ingredient business Aesica has given it the capacity to provide the full spectrum of medicine and device manufacturing services for global pharma companies. This is an enviable position to be in considering the industry-wide trend of increased outsourcing. The group's heightened operational strength has drawn in two new customers in the year, including AstraZeneca (AZN) which - as a major global respiratory player - has "filled a glaring hole in our customer base", according to Consort chief executive Jon Glenn.
Expansion outside of the respiratory field has also been strong, with non-respiratory products now making up more than a quarter of revenue in the original Bespak device manufacturing business. There are also plenty of non-respiratory products in the pipeline, so future growth here looks promising.