PCI Pharma Services Embarks on Next Growth Phase with Strategic Investment from Bain Capital, Kohlberg, and Mubadala
PCI Pharma Services (PCI), a globally recognized contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specializing in cutting-edge biopharmaceuticals, has announced a major strategic investment aimed at accelerating its next phase of growth and innovation. This latest funding round is led jointly by Bain Capital and PCI’s existing lead investor, Kohlberg & Company, with significant reinvestment from Mubadala Investment Company. Partners Group will also continue its support through a minority stake. Though the financial details of the private transaction remain confidential, the scope and strategic nature of the investment underscore PCI’s rising prominence within the biopharmaceutical services landscape.
Global CDMO with a Proven Track Record
Headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, PCI Pharma Services is recognized for its fully integrated suite of end-to-end drug development, clinical trial support, manufacturing, and packaging solutions. The company’s expansive capabilities allow it to increase clients’ speed to market while simultaneously enhancing commercial outcomes for drug products across a wide range of therapeutic areas.
With over five decades of experience in pharmaceutical services and more than 450 successful product launches in the past five years alone, PCI has established itself as a trusted partner to pharmaceutical and biotech firms worldwide. The company’s ability to seamlessly manage the entire pharmaceutical supply chain—from clinical development to final commercialization—positions it as a cornerstone in the drug development ecosystem.
Leadership and Strategic Vision
PCI’s next chapter will be shaped under the continued leadership of Chief Executive Officer Salim Haffar, a seasoned pharmaceutical executive with a bold vision for global expansion. Since taking the helm, Haffar has championed a strategic transformation to evolve PCI into a leading global CDMO with an emphasis on customer-centric innovation and integrated solutions.
In a statement accompanying the investment announcement, Haffar said, “PCI has embarked on a purposeful journey to transform itself into a global CDMO by executing its successful growth strategy, providing industry-leading customer experience, and offering innovative and integrated supply chain solutions. I am grateful for the ongoing support of our existing investors and enthusiastically welcome Bain Capital and their deep, global healthcare and life science capabilities and expertise.”
This strategic partnership with Bain Capital—known for its robust portfolio in healthcare investments—will allow PCI to build on its strong operational foundation while exploring new market opportunities. The involvement of Kohlberg and Mubadala, who first invested in PCI in 2020, further signals confidence in the company’s leadership and future prospects.
Targeted Growth Initiatives: Organic and Inorganic Expansion
The infusion of capital is expected to support a broad range of growth initiatives, both organic and inorganic. At the core of PCI’s expansion strategy is the strengthening of its capabilities in sterile fill-finish services for injectable drugs, an area of increasing demand due to the global shift toward biologics and personalized medicine. Additionally, the company plans to expand its infrastructure for high-potency active pharmaceutical ingredients (HPAPIs) and other specialized drug formulations, ensuring it remains at the forefront of manufacturing complex therapeutics.
Geographic expansion is another critical priority. PCI aims to extend its global footprint by investing in new facilities and acquiring complementary service providers, thereby broadening its reach and diversifying its client base across North America, Europe, and Asia. These initiatives are particularly important in the current landscape, where geopolitical instability and global health emergencies have highlighted the need for secure, localized pharmaceutical supply chains.
In the United States, the company will continue its significant investments in pharmaceutical infrastructure, reinforcing its role in strengthening the nation’s drug manufacturing and distribution capabilities. As global biopharmaceutical companies increasingly seek reliable, scalable CDMO partners to navigate supply chain challenges and regulatory complexities, PCI is strategically positioning itself as the partner of choice.
A Partnership Grounded in Expertise and Alignment
The investment syndicate backing PCI represents some of the most respected and experienced players in global private equity and sovereign wealth. Kohlberg & Company, which first invested in PCI in 2020, has a long history of partnering with high-growth companies in healthcare and industrial sectors. Mubadala Investment Company, the sovereign investment arm of Abu Dhabi, also brings deep healthcare sector expertise and global investment reach.
Bain Capital’s entry into the consortium is especially noteworthy. With a track record of investing in transformative healthcare businesses, Bain brings deep industry knowledge, operational insight, and a global network of resources. Devin O’Reilly, Partner at Bain Capital, praised PCI’s innovative platform and growth potential: “Anchored by an innovative, advanced platform that is consistently growing and setting new standards for the industry, PCI Pharma has built a well-deserved reputation as a differentiated partner to leading biopharma companies, ensuring critical therapies reach patients safely and efficiently. We look forward to working alongside Kohlberg to build on this strong foundation.”
Bain Capital Partners Andrew Kaplan and Christina Dix added: “We are excited to leverage our industry expertise and the collaboration of our global healthcare team to support Salim and PCI’s team of experienced industry leaders in the mission to drive innovation in advanced pharmaceutical services that improve patients’ lives and outcomes.”
Continued Support from Mubadala and Partners Group
For Mubadala, the decision to reinvest in PCI is rooted in a shared long-term vision and confidence in the company’s leadership. Mina Hamoodi, Head of Healthcare at Mubadala, emphasized the strategic alignment: “Our reinvestment in PCI reflects our deep conviction in the company’s mission, leadership, and long-term potential. At this important juncture, we are delighted to welcome Bain Capital, an industry-leading healthcare investor with deep expertise in growing pharma services businesses, as a partner.”
Partners Group, which maintains a minority stake, also reaffirmed its confidence in PCI’s strategic direction. Sujit John, Managing Director of Private Equity Health & Life at Partners Group, remarked, “PCI’s market position, reputation, and world-class capabilities strategically position the Company to be the partner of choice for customers. We look forward to supporting PCI and the new ownership group in driving the Company into its next phase of growth.”
Industry-Leading Advisory Support
The complexity and scale of the transaction were matched by the involvement of top-tier financial and legal advisors. Jefferies LLC served as the lead financial advisor to PCI, with Moelis & Company LLC acting as co-advisor. On Bain Capital’s side, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and BofA Securities, Inc. provided financial advisory services. Mubadala was advised by Citi.
The transaction also involved a team of experienced legal advisors. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP represented PCI and Kohlberg. Bain Capital received legal counsel from Kirkland & Ellis LLP, while Mubadala was advised by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. Partners Group was represented by Ropes & Gray LLP.
The Road Ahead: Reinforcing PCI’s Role in the Global CDMO Landscape
As the pharmaceutical industry continues to evolve, the demand for sophisticated CDMO partners capable of managing complex drug development and manufacturing processes is expected to intensify. Biologic therapies, personalized medicine, and accelerated regulatory pathways are all contributing to this shift, and companies like PCI are poised to play a critical role in helping pharmaceutical innovators bring new therapies to patients faster and more efficiently.
The strategic investment from Bain Capital, Kohlberg, and Mubadala comes at a pivotal time for PCI and the broader pharmaceutical services sector. It reflects not only the growing investor interest in the CDMO space but also the validation of PCI’s business model, leadership, and long-term vision.
CEO Salim Haffar and his team now have the financial and strategic backing necessary to execute their ambitious growth plans and build an even more resilient, innovative, and globally integrated pharmaceutical services platform. For patients, biopharma partners, and the healthcare system at large, PCI’s transformation marks a significant step toward a future where critical therapies are developed, manufactured, and delivered with greater speed, precision, and impact.
As the company looks toward the next decade, PCI’s expanded global reach and enhanced service offerings will be instrumental in shaping the future of pharmaceutical development and commercialization worldwide.
About PCI Pharma Services
PCI is a world-leading CDMO, providing clients with integrated end-to-end drug development, manufacturing and packaging capabilities that increase their products’ speed to market and opportunities for commercial success. PCI brings the proven experience that comes with more than 90 successful product launches each year and over five decades in the healthcare services business. The company currently has 38 sites across seven countries (United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Spain and Australia), and over 7,500 employees working to bring life-changing therapies to patients.
Leading technology and continued investment enable PCI Pharma Services to address global drug development needs throughout the entire product life cycle – from manufacturing capabilities through the clinical trial supply chain and commercialization. Its clients utilize PCI as an extension of their business, and a collaborative partner with the shared goal of improving patients’ lives. For more information, visit pci.com.
About Kohlberg
Founded in 1987, Kohlberg is a leading U.S. middle market private equity firm based in Mount Kisco, New York. The firm invests in high-quality healthcare and services companies characterized by strong market positions, recurring revenue streams and resilient end markets, which it identifies through rigorous thematic research grounded in its White Paper Program. Leveraging its team of investment and operating professionals, Kohlberg works with management teams to accelerate growth, enhance operational excellence and create value. For more information, please visit www.kohlberg.com.
About Bain Capital
Founded in 1984, Bain Capital is one of the world’s leading private investment firms. We are committed to creating lasting impact for our investors, teams, businesses, and the communities in which we live. As a private partnership, we lead with conviction and a culture of collaboration, advantages that enable us to innovate investment approaches, unlock opportunities, and create exceptional outcomes.
Our global platform invests across five focus areas: Private Equity, Growth & Venture, Capital Solutions, Credit & Capital Markets, and Real Assets. In these focus areas, we bring deep sector expertise and wide-ranging capabilities. We have 24 offices on four continents, more than 1,850 employees, and approximately $185 billion in assets under management. To learn more, visit www.baincapital.com. Follow @BainCapital on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).
About Mubadala Investment Company
Mubadala Investment Company is a sovereign investor managing a global portfolio, aimed at generating sustainable financial returns for the Government of Abu Dhabi.
Mubadala’s $330 billion (AED 1.2 trillion) portfolio spans six continents with interests in multiple sectors and asset classes. Mubadala leverages its deep sectoral expertise and long-standing partnerships to drive sustainable growth and profit, while supporting the continued diversification and global integration of the economy of the United Arab Emirates.
Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, Mubadala has additional offices in New York, London, Rio de Janeiro, San Francisco and Beijing.
For more information about Mubadala Investment Company, please visit: www.mubadala.com.
About Partners Group
Partners Group is one of the largest firms in the global private markets industry, with around 1,800 professionals and over $150 billion in overall assets under management. The firm has investment programs and custom mandates spanning private equity, private credit, infrastructure, real estate, and royalties. With its heritage in Switzerland and its primary presence in the Americas in Colorado, Partners Group is built differently from the rest of the industry.
The firm leverages its differentiated culture and its operationally oriented approach to identify attractive investment themes and to transform businesses and assets into market leaders. For more information, please visit www.partnersgroup.com.
