Patheon, a global provider of drug development and manufacturing services to the international pharmaceutical industry, announced that after pursuing all reasonable alternatives for the past 12 months, it has elected to close its Carolina facility in Puerto Rico effective January 31, 2009.

According to a company press release, certain transitional activities will be continued at the facility for the next few weeks to ensure proper and compliant closure of the facility, however as of January 31, 2009 no further products will be manufactured, packaged or shipped from the facility. As previously disclosed, severance and other closure costs are expected to be approximately USD$3.0 million.

Patheon Inc. is a leading global provider of contract development and manufacturing services to the global pharmaceutical industry. Patheon prides itself in providing the highest quality products and services to more than 300 of the world's leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Patheon has integrated development and manufacturing network of 11 facilities, and 6 development centres across North America and Europe.