Marchesini Group, a leader in pharmaceutical packaging machinery, and AST, a leader in the drug product manufacturing industry, have entered a strategic partnership that combines their expertise, technologies, and global reach.

The partnership intends to strengthen their position in sterile fill-finish production by delivering increasingly advanced, integrated and comprehensive solutions. This agreement will provide both companies with greater production capacity and an extended global network for technical assistance and support, while consolidating distribution networks and sales channels across North America, Europe, Asia, and other strategic regions.

The partnership aims to enable the development of sophisticated technologies, driven by a shared vision: creating value for customers, expanding market presence and fostering innovation. Specifically, Marchesini Group has acquired a 44.39% equity stake in AST, further enriching its portfolio of aseptic packaging solutions. AST’s technologies, advanced aseptic filling and closing systems for the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, will complement those of the Group’s two production plants: Corima, a benchmark in Italy for sterile product filling, and MAR, specialized in precision filling and capping machines for liquid and powder products.

“This investment confirms our commitment to continued growth,” affirms Maurizio Marchesini, President of Marchesini Group. “It’s not driven by ambition alone, but by the desire to build strategic partnerships that allow us to offer our customers increasingly comprehensive and technologically advanced solutions.”

He adds: “I would like to emphasize that AST’s entry into the Group and our focus on the U.S. market do not imply a shift in production away from our territory. We will continue to invest in Italy, strengthening our presence, as demonstrated by the recent expansion of the Barberino di Mugello facility and the planned enlargement of Corima’s production site in Siena.”

As part of this strategic partnership, AST’s Chairman and CEO Joe Hoff will increase his ownership stake in AST, underscoring the shared commitment to long-term growth and innovation of both parties. Joe Hoff will remain the Chairman and CEO of AST and will join the steering committee of the Aseptic Division of the Marchesini Group which leads the sterile fill-finish and drug product manufacturing segment.

“Marchesini Group brings a shared vision of innovative technology, strong customer service, and respect for employees, customers, suppliers and communities. This partnership isn’t about changing who we are—it’s about leveraging our relationships, experiences, capabilities and resources to accelerate our shared leadership in drug product manufacturing and sterile fill-finish,” said Joe Hoff, CEO of AST. “Together, we will leverage our strengths to deliver even more value to our customers and stakeholders. By uniting our product portfolios, we’re not just expanding what we offer — we’re multiplying the value we can deliver to customers around the world.”