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Senator Hillary Clinton Visits AKRIMAX Pharmaceutical Plant in Rouses Point, NY

August 05, 2008 – Rouses Point, NY

U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton today visited the Akrimax pharmaceutical plant and paid tribute to Akrimax and the employees for their dedication and loyalty. The plant, which had been slated for closure, was acquired by Akrimax from Wyeth Pharmaceuticals in January 2008.

Senator Clinton met with company founders Joseph Krivulka and Leonard Mazur, toured the facility, and then spoke to an overflow crowd of more than 300 citizens under a tent at the Rouses Point facility.

“I want to thank Joe and Leonard for really understanding the potential of this facility,” said Senator Clinton. “In 2005 when Wyeth announced they would be closing operation at the plant it could have been a devastating blow to the region, but the people of Rouses Point saw it as an opportunity and a call to action. With the assistance of Garry Douglas and the Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce we were able to show Akrimax that there was a top-notch operation and dedicated workforce waiting in Rouses Point for the right company to move in. I am proud to have had the opportunity to help make this connection, and I am glad that our hard work has resulted in a solution that benefits Akrimax and the local community. It was the people and the quality of the work ethic that made this all possible.”

Senator Clinton was instrumental in facilitating the effort by Akrimax to purchase the facility last year, a move that saved the jobs of more than 750 North Country citizens. The facility is the largest private employer in the North Country.

Senator Clinton commended Akrimax for recognizing the emerging opportunities in the areas of biologics, biosimilars and biochemicals. She also praised the community for its determination and dedication, despite periods of past uncertainty.

Krivulka paid tribute to Senator Clinton for her support of the plant and the community.

“Senator Clinton was our first call when we considered acquiring this North Country facility,” he said. “We are deeply grateful for her strong support and look forward to an ongoing relationship as we fulfill the legacy of manufacturing excellence at this facility.”

The move averted the closure of the pharmaceutical manufacturing and packaging plant, which has been a fixture in Rouses Point for decades and the largest private employer in the North Country since the 1980s. It draws employees from Clinton, Franklin and Essex counties in New York and from several northern Vermont towns.

Akrimax is a specialty branded pharmaceutical company led by a core management team of experienced pharmaceutical executives with expertise in development, manufacturing, distribution, marketing and sales of pharmaceutical products.

Krivulka and Mazur have brought an experienced pharmaceutical team back to the North Country. In 1993, Krivulka acquired Bertek Inc. on behalf of Mylan Laboratories in St. Albans, Vermont, and as its president transformed it into a leading branded pharmaceutical entity. He served in that capacity until mid-1997.

Wyeth and Akrimax have a cooperative relationship during a current transition period that concludes at the end of 2009. During this transition period, Akrimax will lease the facility back to Wyeth, so that Wyeth can continue manufacturing its products, while Akrimax begins integrating its own products into the facility. Akrimax intends to bring additional business to the facility through contract manufacturing agreements with third parties.