Morocco’s FM6I to acquire Recipharm stake in MARBIO packaging platform

MOROCCO – The Mohammed VI Investment Fund, BAB Consortium and Recipharm AB have signed an agreement framework to transfer Recipharm’s 10% stake in Maroc Biotechnologies to FM6I, reshaping ownership of a vaccine fill-and-finish platform whose operations centre on aseptic packaging.

MARBIO operates an industrial platform in Benslimane covering vaccine formulation, aseptic filling, packaging, quality control and batch release. 

The packaging stage sits at the end of a sterile production chain, where containers, closures and labelling must satisfy microbiological and traceability requirements before batches are released for distribution. 

Maintaining that capability demands validated equipment, controlled environments and documented processes that regulators audit routinely.

Transaction Awaits Regulatory Approvals

The transaction remains subject to fulfilment of applicable conditions and required regulatory approvals. 

The agreement marks a new phase for MARBIO after its partners spent the first stage setting up and launching its industrial platform for vaccines and biological products in Morocco. 

The company now operates a fill-and-finish site in Benslimane, carrying out sterile filling and packaging for vaccines and biological products.

Partnership Began Under Royal Initiative in 2021

The project began in September 2021 under the initiative of King Mohammed VI. 

The partnership brought together the Moroccan state, Recipharm as an international Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation, and BAB Consortium, which Attijariwafa Bank, Bank of Africa and Banque Centrale Populaire created to take a stake in MARBIO. 

Over the past five years, Recipharm supported the company on technical, industrial, operational and regulatory matters, helping it develop capabilities needed to expand activities gradually. 

The new agreement sets out transition arrangements between Recipharm and MARBIO designed to maintain operational continuity.

Fund Cites Strategic Investment Role

FM6I said the acquisition fits its role as a catalyst for productive investment and capital mobilisation around Morocco’s strategic priorities. 

Through the transaction, the fund will support MARBIO as it develops industrial and technological capabilities in a strategic sector. 

The new shareholder structure will give MARBIO a stronger national base as it pursues long-term industrial development. Founded in 2021 with share capital of MAD 1.4 billion (US$151.5 million), MARBIO is an international vaccine-focused CDMO based in Casablanca. 

FM6I holds initial share capital of MAD 15 billion (US$1.62 billion), financing strategic projects in priority sectors. Recipharm employs more than 4,500 people across sites in Germany, Spain, the United States, France, India, Italy, Portugal and Sweden.

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