Phoenix Labs acquires Kent Pharma
pharmafile | September 29, 2026 | News story | | Europe, Ireland, Kent Pharma, Phoenix Labs, acquisition
Phoenix Labs has acquired UK pharmaceutical distributor Kent Pharma from private equity firm Duke Street, expanding its presence in the UK pharmaceutical market.
Kent Pharma, headquartered in Ashford, supplies specialty and generic medicines, with a particular focus on essential and critical products. The company is one of the major suppliers of injectable medicines to UK hospitals and also operates in Ireland.
Duke Street acquired Kent Pharma in 2019 through a carve-out from DCC Healthcare, subsequently establishing it as a standalone business. During its ownership, Kent Pharma expanded its portfolio through product launches, acquisitions and in-licensing, with a focus on specialty medicines.
The company acquired Dalkeith Labs and invested in intellectual property for new product development, while expanding into Ireland in 2020. It also sold its non-core Athlone Labs antibiotics manufacturing facility to Gaelic Laboratories in 2025.
Phoenix Labs said the acquisition would create synergies across its product portfolio and geographical operations, including its existing activities in Ireland. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Charlie Troup, Managing Partner at Duke Street, said the firm had supported Kent Pharma’s management team in expanding the business and developing its product portfolio during its ownership.
“We have invested significantly in NPD to grow and shape the portfolio whilst also expanding the capabilities of the business to continue to deliver critical pharmaceutical products to patients via multiple channels,” he said.
Duke Street said Kent Pharma launched more than ten new products each year during its ownership, alongside the expansion of its UK and Irish market presence.
The acquisition adds Kent Pharma’s distribution capabilities to Phoenix Labs’ existing pharmaceutical operations in Ireland and Europe. Further details of the combined business were not provided.
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