What University Compound Pharmacy does

University Compounding Pharmacy (UCP) is a 503A compounding pharmacy founded in 1993 in San Diego, California, by brothers John and Joe Grasela. The company specializes in patient-specific compounded medications for cases where standard commercial drugs are unsuitable due to dosage, formulation, allergy, or availability constraints. Its core product lines span urology (Tri-Mix, Bi-Mix, and Quad-Mix penile injections, urethral gel, vacuum erection devices, and the C. Lowell Parsons interstitial cystitis bladder instillation formula), bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA in transdermal, vaginal, sublingual, and oral forms), ophthalmology (compounded Vancomycin and fortified Tobramycin eye drops), weight loss (compounded Semaglutide and Tirzepatide), growth-hormone support (Secretropin), and ancillary services such as generic sildenafil distribution and certified nutritionist consultations. All sterile preparations are compounded in a PCAB-accredited facility with an ISO Class 7 clean room and a 17-formula sterile library tested by an independent analytical laboratory.

UCP operates a sales-led, physician-prescribed distribution model: licensed prescribers submit patient-specific prescriptions via phone, fax, e-prescription, or secure email, and the pharmacy contacts patients directly, confirms orders, and ships overnight via FedEx/USPS in temperature-controlled packaging to 46 U.S. states. Revenue is generated through one-time per-prescription dispensing with refill-driven recurring volume, supplemented by hardware sales (vacuum devices) and professional services (nutritionist consultations). The company employs 101-250 staff, including 10 highly skilled compounding pharmacists overseeing the labs and dispensing function, and has educated an estimated 50,000 physicians through its founder-led medical education program.

In September 2025, Belgian-headquartered global pharmaceutical compounding leader Fagron announced the acquisition of UCP at an enterprise value of approximately $41.5 million against annual revenues of approximately $25 million, with completion on January 12, 2026. UCP now operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary within Fagron's nationwide 503A/503B compounding platform, with expected integration synergies over an 18-24 month period.

Name

University Compound Pharmacy

Legal name

University Compounding Pharmacy

Website

https://ucprx.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

University Compounding Pharmacy is a 503A compounding pharmacy founded in 1993 in San Diego, providing patient-specific compounded medications across urology, BHRT, ophthalmology, and weight loss to patients in 46 U.S. states under physician prescriptions, now operating as a subsidiary of Fagron.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Compounding Pharmacy Services

NAICS

Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

Compounding Pharmacies (Sterile/Non-Sterile) (HLAFALAE)

Keywords

• Compounding pharmacy
• Sterile injectable medications
• Bio-identical hormone therapy
• Urological compounded treatments
• Patient-specific prescriptions

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Compounded Prescriptions: Patient-specific compounded medications dispensed pursuant to valid prescriptions. Includes sterile injectables, topical preparations, bio-identical hormones, urological compounds, and ophthalmology preparations. Revenue generated through prescription fulfillment with recurring refill opportunities.
2. Generic Pharmaceuticals: Distribution of FDA-approved generic medications including generic Viagra (Sildenafil) in 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg strengths at discounted prices.
3. Medical Devices: Vacuum erection therapy devices sold to patients, with insurance billing handled by the pharmacy. Devices include battery and manual options with accessories.
4. Nutrition Services: Consultation services with certified nutritionist Kim Ruby, BS, CN for weight loss, heart healthy diets, anti-aging, and gluten-free living.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

University Compounding Pharmacy is a 503A compounding pharmacy that prepares patient-specific customized medications—including sterile injections, bio-identical hormones, urological compounds, compounded ophthalmology drops, and weight-loss therapies—dispensed pursuant to valid prescriptions from licensed physicians. The pharmacy operates an ISO Class 7 clean room, PCAB-accredited sterile and non-sterile laboratories, and ships prescriptions overnight to 46 U.S. states with an average 24-hour turnaround.

Product overview

University Compounding Pharmacy (UCP) is a specialized 503A compounding pharmacy founded in 1993, based in San Diego, California. The company operates as a single unified pharmacy offering with multiple therapeutic product lines centered on personalized compounding services. The core offerings include Tri-Mix Injection, Urethral Gel, Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT), Vacuum Erection Therapy, Generic Viagra, Interstitial Cystitis treatments, Semaglutide & Tirzepatide, Secretropin, Compounded Eye Drops, and Nutrition Services. UCP maintains an ISO Class 7 clean room for sterile preparations and offers both non-sterile and sterile compounding across these therapeutic areas, with overnight delivery available in 46 states. The pharmacy primarily serves patients through healthcare provider prescriptions, with a focus on personalized medications when standard options don't meet patient needs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Secretropin®: A Non-Peptide Advanced Amino Acid Secretagogue with Nanoliposomal Delivery System.

Quantifiable outcome

• 24-hour average prescription turnaround
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• FagroncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 January 2026Belgian-headquartered global leader in pharmaceutical compounding. Completed acquisition of University Compounding Pharmacy in January 2026 with enterprise value of approximately $41.5 million. Acquisition strengthens Fagron's nationwide compounding platform in the United States spanning both 503A and 503B services. Expected synergies over 18-24 months integration period.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pavilion Compounding Pharmacy: Regional 503A compounding pharmacy in the Southeast offering bio-identical hormones, thyroid, and urological preparations. Comparable therapeutic mix and physician-prescribed GTM to UCP at smaller scale.
• Leiters: FDA-registered 503B outsourcing facility producing sterile preparations for hospitals and clinics. Comparable in sterile compounding expertise though 503B-focused versus UCP's 503A model.
• Triangle Compounding Pharmacy: PCAB-accredited compounding pharmacy offering sterile and non-sterile preparations, BHRT, urologicals, and pain management formulations. Competes with UCP in the same patient-prescriber workflow model.
• Reed's Compounding Pharmacy: Independent 503A compounding pharmacy with sterile cleanroom operations serving multiple therapeutic areas. Comparable in compounding scope and physician-prescribed distribution.
• Kelley-Ross Compounding Pharmacy: Seattle-based PCAB-accredited compounding pharmacy offering sterile and non-sterile preparations, hormone, and ophthalmology compounds. Comparable compounding categories and patient-physician service model.
• Wedgewood Pharmacy: One of the largest U.S. compounding pharmacies serving both human and veterinary patients with sterile and non-sterile preparations. Comparable to UCP in PCAB-accredited compounding, nationwide shipping, and a broad proprietary formulary.
• Empower Pharmacy: Large Texas-based 503A/503B compounder offering sterile injectables, hormone replacement, and weight-loss therapies with nationwide distribution. Directly comparable product mix and regulatory posture to UCP.

Others

• Professional Compounding Centers of America (PCCA): Supplier of APIs, bases, and equipment to independent compounding pharmacies like UCP. Adjacent rather than competitive; provides infrastructure and training that UCP relies on for its compounding operations.
• Letco Medical: Wholesale distributor of compounding chemicals, APIs, and supplies to compounding pharmacies including UCP. Comparable as an enabling infrastructure provider in the 503A compounding ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy: National pharmacy chain offering limited compounding services alongside broad retail and specialty pharmacy operations. Indirectly comparable as a distribution channel for personalized medications at much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/universitycom11

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about University Compound Pharmacy