- The extensive audit library has recorded a 98% client retention rate over the last year.
- The option to buy valid pre-existing reports is a cost-effective alternative to conducting individual supplier audits, as pharma organisations fulfil EU quality/QP requirements.
- 2022 has been a milestone year for Rephine, boosted by strategic acquisition, territory expansion, a strengthened top team and new branding.
Stevenage, Hertfordshire, September 28, 2022 – Rephine, a firm of deeply experienced GMP auditors specialising in pharmaceutical supply-chain quality assurance, is celebrating a milestone 12-month period which has seen its library of live GMP audit reports swell to over 750, among other strategic developments that have cemented the company’s position as the go-to global provider of GMP compliance support.
Rephine’s market leadership was boosted in June by the acquisition of Barcelona-based GxP audit organisation Forum Auditorias and its technology and manufacturing supply chain compliance consultancy TDV (together known as AFA/TDV Group). The expanded Rephine organisation, with 100+ full-time employees and coverage of over 100 countries, now boasts a live, current audit report library spanning more than 2,500 pharma products.
During and following the COVID-19 pandemic, the option to buy valid pre-existing reports has soared in popularity, as a cost-effective and more convenient alternative to conducting individual supplier audits, to fulfil EU quality/QP requirements. Over the past 12 months, Rephine has seen demand for its library reports continue to rise sharply, with 98% of clients returning to the resource.
New auditing work is experiencing healthy growth too, boosted by an expanded account management team, including two strategic on-the-ground appointments in China, where Rephine conducts a high number of manufacturer audits. These additions expand the team in China to seven permanent staff, based at the group’s office in Shanghai.
Having dedicated Account Managers in the region is helping to convert commissioned audits to Rephine’s library, through more frequent contact and ongoing relationship building. New auditee account managers in India and the EU as well as China are also helping here. The conversion rate of commissioned audits to library assets is currently close to 60%, increasing the size of the library and providing clients with an ever-broader choice, from a single definitive source.
Numbers of new commissioned audits, meanwhile, have more than doubled over the last two years, to around 100. Post pandemic, as lockdowns continue to frustrate everyday manufacturing practice in markets such as China, these figures are especially impressive. Rephine was quick to adapt its model proactively to allow for remote and hybrid audits where appropriate, so has been able to maintain reliability of delivery.
The acquisition of AFA/TDV also extends the group’s offerings via TDV’s specialist manufacturing supply chain compliance consultancy services. These help pharma manufacturers achieve their GxP compliance goals through Quality by Design; Risk Management; and Pharma QMS to drive innovation and best-practice process efficiency as well as regulatory adherence.
Rephine has also bolstered its top team with a series of strategic promotions and new hires over the last year, to drive the company’s strategic vision. Following Adam Sherlock’s appointment as CEO a year ago, Chris Burman has joined as VP, Commercial, and Alasdair Leckie has assumed the role of VP, GMP Operations.
Following the acquisition of Forum Auditorias and TDV, senior executives from the Spanish business and its Shanghai location joined the extended Rephine group leadership team. Dr. Eduard Cayón is an experienced pharmaceutical industry consultant at TDV and a founding partner of AFA. Marian San, is TDV Projects Division Manager and a qualified GXP auditor of pharmaceutical suppliers.
Commenting on all of the developments, CEO Adam Sherlock said: “2021-2022 has been a phenomenal year for Rephine, which has seen our ambitions really take form, despite difficult global market conditions. There is a clear need in the market for the calibre and end-to-end service scope we can provide, at a time when both traditional pharma companies and biotechs are racing to bring next-generation products to market, yet in a regulatory context which is continually evolving. We are in the perfect position to help them with a comprehensive set of solutions which are both robust and highly adaptable to our clients’ specific needs. Our growing success is all down to the hard work and creative minds of the Rephine team. I am extremely proud of everyone who works here.”
To reflect all of the latest developments of the last year, Rephine has updated its branding and web site. The company has also successfully captured a greater share of voice in the market and its media, through timely research, thought leadership, practical guides, and speaker engagements – not least via its annual Symposium whose webinars remain available at https://www.rephine.com/resource-hub/.
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About Rephine
Rephine is a firm of deeply experienced GMP auditors which proactively help pharmaceutical companies around the world with their supply-chain quality assurance. As well as conducting audits on an as-needed basis, Rephine offers the single largest repository of live reports (within three-year validity), spanning thousands of individual products. More at www.rephine.com
Rephine is backed by Kester Capital, a leading UK-based private equity investor focused on Healthcare & Life Sciences, Information & Data, and Technology businesses that require capital to unlock their potential. More at www.kestercapital.com
Press contact for Rephine
Carina Birt, Sarum PR, 07970 006624, [email protected]