For more than five decades, Galen Limited has grown through a clear vision: deliver valued products to patients while fostering trusted, long‑term partnerships.  

With its direct footprint predominantly focused on the UK and Irish markets, Galen began exploring expansion into Europe over a decade ago, recognising the significant growth opportunities across Northern European markets and the potential to broaden patient access through a more diversified geographic footprint. 

This shift required a strategic decision: should the company build its own direct footprint from the ground up, or acquire an established business with the right product mix, capabilities, and cultural alignment? 

The acquisition of POA Pharma Scandinavia AB which completed in 2020, followed an initial distribution agreement in 2016, that enabled Galen to market and sell POA’s medical nutrition portfolio across the UK and Ireland. This early collaboration went on to shape Galen’s model for international expansion across Europe. 

Choosing Between Acquisition and Direct Footprint 

When assessing new territories, Galen balances three core considerations: speed, expertise, and cultural fit. 

A direct footprint offers full control but requires years of investment and deep market understanding. Acquisition, on the other hand, provides immediate access to infrastructure, established customer relationships, and expert local teams - but only if the company is the right strategic match. 

In POA Pharma, Galen found an ideal partner. POA was a respected, first‑generation company headquartered in Sweden, with operations across the Nordics and North America. By 2016, POA represented 14 producers from 11 countries and held a strong medical nutrition portfolio supported by a wide healthcare network. Just as importantly, the founders sought a buyer that reflected their values, people‑first culture, and ambitious growth strategy. 

For Galen, acquiring POA provided an immediate foothold in the Nordic region - a springboard into a wider European strategy that would eventually include Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and the broader Northern European market. 

Integrating a New Business Smoothly and Successfully 

Successful integration is not only about systems and processes - it is about people. Over 12 months, Galen and POA Pharma worked closely to bring the teams together, even amid the disruptions of COVID‑19. 

Key elements of integration included: 

Shared culture and values 
Both organisations maintained a family‑business feel, a commitment to collaboration, and a clear dedication to improving patient outcomes. This cultural alignment helped teams trust each other, work transparently, and embrace new ways of operating. 

Investment in people and infrastructure 
Following the acquisition, POA’s employee numbers nearly doubled. A new Copenhagen office opened in 2021 to support growth, and POA Pharma GmbH launched in Germany in 2023 - strengthening local presence in Europe’s largest pharmaceutical market. 

Portfolio expansion 
Integration also allowed both sides to benefit from each other’s strengths. POA’s medical nutrition expertise expanded into new markets in the UK, Ireland and later Germany and Austria. Meanwhile, Galen’s own products, along with in-licensed products, were introduced into the Nordic portfolio for the first time. 

Unified systems and shared capabilities 
POA gained access to the wider support services of the Almac Group such as legal and regulatory, enabling more efficient operations, improved supply chain processes, and enhanced market access capabilities. 

This approach ensured that while POA Pharma became part of a larger global organisation, it retained the entrepreneurial agility and specialist expertise that defined its success. 

Embracing Local Cultures and Ways of Working 

Expanding across Europe means navigating diverse regulatory environments, healthcare systems, and cultural expectations. Both Galen and POA Pharma have treated this not as a challenge but as an opportunity. 

Across their Northern European operations, the teams have embedded culturally aware ways of working: 

• Hiring local experts who understand national policies, pricing structures, and healthcare behaviours 

• Adapting communication styles and materials to local norms 

• Respecting differences in decision‑making, timelines, and customer engagement 

• Ensuring each territory feels empowered to influence the strategy rather than simply execute it 

This mindset has supported successful entries such as POA’s launch of PKU Easy Microtabs Plus within Germany - a market where credibility, scientific rigour, and long‑term consistency are highly valued. 

Strong Foundations for Long‑Term European Growth 

Today, POA Pharma stands as a rising force in the European pharma market, backed by Galen’s global heritage and the Almac Group’s world‑class infrastructure. With an established presence in the Nordics, expanding operations in Germany, and a growing diverse portfolio covering Emergency Medicine, ENT, and Medical Nutrition, the organisation is well‑positioned to continue its upward trajectory. 

As Dr. Dennise Broderick, President of Galen Limited and Managing Director of POA Pharma GmbH, notes: “Our goal has always been to establish a strong foothold in Northern Europe, and from there, expand into other key European markets. With the right partnerships and investments, we are confident in our ability to continue delivering valued products across the region.” 

That confidence is grounded in a model that has proven itself: choosing the right partners, integrating thoughtfully, and embracing the diverse cultures that make each market unique.