A NORTH-EAST medical firm behind custom prescriptions is expanding into Germany to strengthen its European presence.

Quantum Pharma, in Burnopfield, near Stanley, County Durham, has agreed three licensing deals through its Lamda division.

Bosses say the deals, worth about £260,000, will see the company allow access to three dossiers of Lamda developments to a German organisation.

They added once the products receive market authorisation, Lamda will start an initial five-year supply deal.

Lamda is part of Quantum’s niche pharmaceutical division, which is central to the firm’s focus on providing patients with unique treatments.

Supplying medicines to respond to one-off prescriptions, staff are able to alter a drug’s potency, assess ingredients to counter allergies and change distribution from tablet to liquid form.

Andrew Scaife, chief executive, said the German tie-up was another boost for the company and further proof its previous decision to take on Lamda, which works out of laboratories in Athens, was the correct one.

He said: “As well as providing a number of products in the niche pharmaceutical pipeline and in-house development for our pipeline, Lamda continues to build partnerships with pharmaceutical companies in Europe.

“Through these deals, and the associated supply agreements, Lamda continues to build a sustainable and profitable revenue stream, which we expect will continue to grow over the coming years.

“The niche pharmaceutical division continues to make good progress as the front end of our product pipeline comes to market and we continue to grow and execute further out-licensing agreements into new geographical markets.”

In early November, Quantum, which employs about 250 people, unveiled new doses to treat the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

They include a spray designed to counter mouth inflammation suffered by patients after cancer treatment, with a mouthwash and further drugs expected in 2016.

The products will all carry the Mucodis name and be delivered through Quantum’s Colonis division, which develops medicines.

Mr Scaife said the work was an extension to its already vast programme of more than 30,000 drugs, which include methadone reefers and treatments aimed at remedying vitamin deficiencies.

He added: “The Mucodis range has the potential to make a difference for patients.

“Its launch marks a promising new chapter for our niche pharmaceuticals and the group’s expansion.”