What Crescent Pharma does

Crescent Pharma is an independent UK generic pharmaceutical company founded in 2003 in Overton, Hampshire and now headquartered in Basingstoke. The company manufactures and distributes cost-conscious generic medicines across all therapeutic areas to the UK market, holding over 400 UK Marketing Authorisations covering 120 molecules with a pipeline of a further 150 authorisations in development. In 2022 Crescent supplied over 200 million packs of medicines to the UK, serving NHS hospitals, pharmaceutical wholesalers, pharmacy groups, retail pharmacies and ultimately UK patients.

The company operates a vertically integrated model across four manufacturing sites and two standalone distribution warehouses. Manufacturing capacity includes solid-dosage production at Crescent Medical UK in Bolton (up to 12 million tablets per day), liquid dosage and beta-lactam antibiotics at Crescent Manufacturing in Park Royal, London (over 7 million bottles annually), and specials, liquids, creams and gels at Thorpe Laboratories in Mablethorpe (2+ million bottles annually). Additional EU GMP-approved niche manufacturing is conducted through Zhaveri Pharmakem in Mumbai, and in-house dossier and product development is performed at Crescent R&D in Chennai, India (acquired 2023). All UK sites are MHRA-approved with GMP compliance, and Crescent International in Gzira, Malta — established in 2019 as a Brexit hedge — holds more than 30 EU marketing authorisations. UK distribution is supported by approximately 45,000 pallets of temperature-controlled storage across owned depots in Andover and Sheffield and partner sites.

Revenue is generated through B2B sales of generic pharmaceutical products to licensed UK wholesalers, pharmacy chains and direct NHS hospital supply. Crescent sells only to holders of Wholesale Distribution Authorisations and not to the general public, and pricing is not publicly disclosed. The company's differentiation rests on a combination of low-cost generics, MHRA-compliant quality, vertical manufacturing integration, supply-chain reliability, and one of the broadest independent UK generic portfolios. Strategic customer relationships are concentrated with the NHS and the Department of Health for continuity of supply, alongside ongoing relationships with major UK wholesalers and pharmacy groups.

Name

Crescent Pharma

Legal name

Crescent Pharma Limited

Website

https://crescentpharma.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Crescent Pharma is a UK-based independent generic pharmaceutical company that manufactures and distributes affordable generic medicines through four MHRA-approved manufacturing sites and two distribution warehouses, supplying over 400 Marketing Authorisations across 120 molecules to NHS hospitals, wholesalers, and pharmacy groups.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Generic Pharmaceuticals

NAICS

Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (424210)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries (5122)

akta.pro primary industry

Generic Hospital & Institutional Products (HLAIABAL)

Keywords

• Generic pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Generic medicines distribution
• Pharmaceutical product portfolio
• Contract pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Generic drug supply

Headquarters

HQ city

Overton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Generic Pharmaceutical Product Sales: Revenue generated from manufacturing and distributing generic medications to the UK market. Products are supplied through wholesalers, distributors, pharmacies, and directly to NHS hospitals. The company holds over 400 UK Marketing Authorisations covering 120 molecules.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Crescent Pharma manufactures and distributes generic pharmaceutical medicines to the UK market across solid dosage (tablets, capsules) and liquid dosage (solutions, suspensions, creams, gels) forms. The portfolio comprises over 400 UK Marketing Authorisations covering 120 molecules, with products supplied to wholesalers, pharmacy groups, NHS hospitals, and retail pharmacies through owned manufacturing sites and a temperature-controlled distribution network.

Product overview

Crescent Pharma is a UK-based generic pharmaceutical company offering a unified portfolio of over 400 Marketing Authorisations covering 120 molecules, with a development pipeline of 150 additional authorisations. The company operates an integrated structure comprising three UK manufacturing sites (Crescent Manufacturing in London for liquids and antibiotics, Crescent Medical UK in Bolton for solid dosages, and Thorpe Laboratories in Mablethorpe for liquids and specials), supplemented by international R&D capabilities through Crescent R&D in Chennai and Zhaveri Pharmakem in Mumbai, and EU market access via Crescent International in Malta. Products span therapeutic areas in tablet, capsule, oral solution, cream, and gel formulations, distributed through a network of MHRA-approved warehouses and pharmaceutical wholesalers to NHS hospitals, pharmacies, and retail outlets across the UK.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Crescent Pharma Generic Pharmaceutical Portfolio A portfolio of over 400 UK Marketing Authorisations covering 120 generic molecules, supplied as tablets, capsules, oral solutions, creams, and gels to the UK supply chain for NHS hospitals, pharmacies, wholesalers, and retail outlets.
• Over-the-Counter Consumer Healthcare Products Range of over-the-counter consumer healthcare products supplied in addition to prescription generic medicines, primarily catering to the UK retail pharmacy market.
• Crescent Manufacturing (Liquid Dosage Manufacturing) Liquid and antibiotic manufacturing service based in Park Royal, London, with capacity to produce over 7 million bottles annually across two units totalling approximately 40,000 square feet. Specialises in beta-lactam antibiotics, liquids, creams, and gels.
• Crescent Medical UK (Solid Dosage Manufacturing) Solid dosage manufacturing service in Bolton, UK, producing tablets, capsules, and liquids (including controlled drugs) at a capacity of up to 12 million tablets per day across approximately 80,500 square feet.
• Thorpe Laboratories (Specials and Semi-Solids Manufacturing) MHRA-approved liquid, creams, herbal and gels manufacturing service based in Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire, with capacity for up to 2 million bottles annually and an MHRA specials license across approximately 15,000 square feet.
• Crescent R&D (Pharmaceutical Research and Development) R&D and manufacturing service based in Chennai, India, providing in-house development of products for the UK market, ongoing portfolio development, and new pharmaceutical dossier preparation with MHRA-approved manufacturing capability for solid dosage forms.
• Crescent International (EU Market Access) EU Marketing Authorisation holder service based in Gzira, Malta, providing a gateway for distributing Crescent Pharma products in the European Union market with 30+ EU approved marketing authorisations.
• Zhaveri Pharmakem (Niche Manufacturing) EU GMP approved R&D and pharmaceutical manufacturing service based in Dombivali, Mumbai, providing niche manufacturing capabilities for the group.
• UK Distribution Network Services Temperature-controlled pharmaceutical distribution network comprising two owned UK depots (Andover and Sheffield) and MHRA-approved partner storage sites, housing over 45,000 pallets and supplying pharmaceutical wholesalers, pharmacy groups, NHS hospitals, and retail pharmacies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 200 million packs supplied to UK market in 2022
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Feature4 records

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Hikma Pharmaceuticals: UK-listed (LSE) generic and specialty pharmaceutical manufacturer with a large UK hospital and injectable franchise. Most directly comparable to Crescent in terms of UK regulatory footprint, hospital channel exposure, and generics-plus-specialty positioning.
• Morningside Pharmaceuticals: UK-based independent generic pharmaceutical company supplying the NHS with a broad multi-therapeutic generic portfolio. Closest direct comparable to Crescent in scale, ownership profile (privately held), and NHS focus.
• Ennogen Healthcare: UK-focused independent generic pharmaceutical company with a large UK Marketing Authorisation portfolio supplying pharmacies, wholesalers, and the NHS. Operates in the same niche as Crescent with a similar multi-therapeutic approach.
• Accord Healthcare (Intas Pharmaceuticals): UK-headquartered generic pharmaceutical company (subsidiary of India's Intas) with a broad UK generic portfolio including hospital injectables and oncology generics. Direct competitor on NHS tenders and UK retail pharmacy contracts.

Broad incumbents

• Teva Pharmaceutical Industries: One of the world's largest generic pharmaceutical manufacturers with a substantial UK and EU commercial footprint. Competes head-to-head on commoditised generic molecules supplied to UK pharmacies and the NHS.
• Sandoz (Novartis): Global generics leader and biosimilars manufacturer with established UK distribution. Broader portfolio and global scale dwarf Crescent, but a direct competitor on hospital and retail generic tenders.
• Viatris (Mylan): Global generic and specialty pharmaceutical major with strong UK retail and hospital presence. Competes with Crescent on price-pressured generic molecules and is one of the largest single suppliers to UK wholesalers.

Others

• AAH Pharmaceuticals: UK's largest pharmaceutical wholesaler and distributor, owned by Walgreens Boots Alliance. While not a manufacturer, AAH is a key channel partner and direct customer of Crescent, shaping the competitive dynamics of UK generics distribution.
• Alliance Healthcare: Major UK pharmaceutical distributor and wholesaler serving independent pharmacies and hospitals. A core downstream customer for Crescent and a benchmark for UK pharma distribution scale.

Emerging players

• Wockhardt: India-headquartered generic pharmaceutical manufacturer with significant UK and EU operations, including biologics and complex generics. Comparable in vertically integrated, India-sourced manufacturing with UK regulatory presence.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CrescentOTC

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries6 records

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 Crescent Pharma