News
RELIABLE AND EFFECTIVE PARALLEL STIRRER / BLENDERS
The DrySyn Vortex family from Asynt has been expanded to now comprise three systems, all designed to stir or blend up to three reactions at one time, whilst heating or cooling. Stirring tasks are most often performed in laboratories using magnetic hotplate stirrers which couple to PTFE magnetic stirring bars in the reaction vessel. Disadvantages of magnetic stirrers include that they are not suitable for highly viscous liquids or for stirring / blending reactions that have high amounts of solid which can often prove too much for the magnetic coupling. The DrySyn Vortex system was designed to enable scientists to perform multiple heated or cooled stirred or blended reactions in round bottomed flasks up to 500ml. Incorporating a powerful gear drive stirrer design the highly reliable DrySyn Vortex has proven especially popular with polymer and material scientists. To complement the original DrySyn Vortex - Asynt has now developed two further Vortex systems each incorporating the proven drive gear stirring system and optimised to suit different application needs. For scientists who need to mix and blend formulations in pots and beakers - Asynt has introduced the Vortex Blend. The Vortex Blend accommodates beakers up to 1000ml volume and many cylindrical containers up to a diameter of 90mm. As the Vortex Blend can also be heated it provides the perfect stirring / blending tool for formulation laboratories. The Vortex Snowstorm offers an attractive solution for stirred low temperature reaction chemistry. Active temperature control from +150oC to -30oC, using a suitable heating/cooling circulator unit, permits unattended operation of up to 12 vials at any one time.
PRECISE CONTROLLED COOLING OF BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES
The ChilliBlock from Asynt is a new modular system purpose designed for precise, controlled cooling and heating of biological samples in microplates, vials and Eppendorf tubes. Traditionally methods of cooling biological samples often rely upon direct immersion in ice buckets which are prone to considerable temperature variability, contamination and loss of wetted labels. ChilliBlocks can be used directly in conjunction with an ice bath keeping your samples in microplates, vials and Eppendorf tubes cool and dry. For precise temperature controlled experiments – ChilliBlocks should be used with our cooling/heating base unit. The ChilliBlock base unit attaches to most laboratory cooling / heating circulators enabling precise, stable and even temperature control of biological samples from -30°C to +160°C. Insulated to prevent ice formation at lower temperatures and ensure homogeneity, the ChilliBlock enables stable, consistent temperature control (+/- 0.1°C) of biological samples, in a wide range of standard and custom formats. Manufactured from clear, resistant, anodised Aluminium - ChilliBlocks offer good chemical resistance and homogeneous temperatures of samples. ChilliBlock’s low profile allows it to be fully compatible with robotic sample handling systems.
EVAPORATOR SYSTEM FOR ACADEMIC MULTI-USER ENVIRONMENTS
Designed to concentrate or completely dry samples the EZ-2 from Genevac is the evaporator of choice for hundreds of academic groups in chemistry, pharmacology, biology, natural product and environmental science departments worldwide. Benefiting from a suite of pre-programmed methods the EZ-2 evaporator has proven highly popular in multi-user environments. Running the EZ-2 evaporator is highly intuitive. Just load your samples, select maximum safe temperature for samples, select solvent type and hit start. Offering true unattended operation capability the EZ-2 requires no user training, even a beginner can competently use the system within 5 minutes. Durably constructed and with the option of ‘HCl resistant’ components throughout the evaporation pathway, the EZ-2 is perfect for safe student use. The EZ-2 evaporator is compatible with a wide selection of sample holders enabling evaporation from most common sample container formats including round-bottom flasks up to 500ml, tubes up to 150mm long, vials, and custom reaction blocks as well as shallow and deep-well microplates. Benefiting from a high performance scroll pump, that delivers deep vacuum, the EZ-2 Elite evaporator is able to routinely remove even very high boiling solvents such as DMSO and NMP. In addition internal heating of vapour duct and system components ensures that solvents only collect in the SpeedTrap™ condenser, and not anywhere else. The SpeedTrap condenser on the EZ-2 Elite evaporator comes the benefit of automatic defrost and drain technology.
www.evaporatorinfo.com/info9_e.html
DRUG DISCOVERY BENEFITS FROM EVAPORATIVE CRYSTALLISATION TECHNOLOGY
A new technical poster produced by Genevac, in conjunction with the Novartis Institute for BioMedical Research (Horsham, UK), examines the application of eXalt™ evaporative crystallisation technology to drug discovery projects. eXalt™ is a proprietary Genevac technology designed to control evaporation using restricting baffles. Using this technology multiple solvents can be screened in parallel to identify optimum crystallisation conditions for amorphous materials. In the pharmaceutical industry, physical form can pose a significant challenge for small molecule drug discovery projects transitioning between the optimisation and characterisation phases. A crystalline form is desirable to confirm absolute structure as well as to investigate solubility and the formulation of a specific morphic form. The scope of the research described in the poster was to investigate the suitability of Genevac eXalt™ evaporative crystallisation technology for production of seed crystals from amorphous materials and to use these large crystals for structure determination, identification of solvates / solvation exchange, identify polymorphs and to undertake co-crystal screening. Results from this series of projects are presented. The researchers conclude that eXalt™ technology was shown to be a versatile tool and successfully applied to novel compound classes in multiple drug discovery projects. Further as a non-destructive technique enabling structure confirmation data to be obtained from samples as small as 5mg, eXalt™ is well suited for use in the optimisation phase of early research projects.
www.evaporatorinfo.com/info18.html
NEW YMC GENERAL CATALOGUE 2016/2017!
A new YMC General Catalogue version 2016/2017 is available starting with September this year.
With the new YMC General Catalogue 2016/2017 customers will receive:
- application support;
- detailed product information on all YMC products;
- poster with phase overview and selectivity diagram;
- nano/micro – UHPLC – HPLC – prep products
New Entries:
- coated/immobilised YMC Chiral columns;
- additional robust YMC-Triart (U)HPLC columns stable
- against pH and temperature;
- nanoLC/microLC capillary columns;
- YMC Core-Shell columns;
- 3 µm YMC SEC columns for high resolution separations;
- SFC columns
Therefore, the new YMC general catalogue is the ideal laboratory resource! The new YMC general catalogue 2016/2017 will become available as hardcopy or electronic version.
THE CHEMOURS COMPANY MARKS PLANNED SPIN-OFF BY RINGING THE NYSE OPENING BELL
The Chemours Company (“Chemours”) marked its expected spin-off from DuPont on July 1, 2015 by ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). “Just as today’s bell-ringing ceremony signals the opening of a new trading day for the stock exchange, it marks a new and exciting beginning for Chemours as well. In just two days, we will complete our transition to an independent, publicly traded company that has both the wisdom and experience of 200 years as DuPont and the energy of a start-up out to make a name for itself” said Mark Vergnano, executive vice president, DuPont and chief executive officer designate of Chemours.“As The Chemours Company, we will enjoy leading market positions in titanium technologies, fluoroproducts and chemical solutions” he continued “positions propelled and sustained by our commitment to technology leadership, safer and more efficient processes, leading application development, and world-class products and enabling ingredients. We will be a nimble and responsive corporation that will define our success by our customers’ successes, as well as the value we bring to our shareholders. This is an exciting day for us all”.
WUXI PHARMATECH ENTERS INTO DEFINITIVE MERGER AGREEMENT
WuXi PharmaTech (Cayman) Inc. a leading open-access R&D capability and technology platform company serving the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries with operations in China and the United States, has announced that it has entered into a definitive Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") with New WuXi Life Science Limited ("Parent") and WuXi Merger Limited ("Merger Sub"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Parent will acquire the Company for cash consideration equal to US$5.75 per ordinary share of the Company (each, a "Share") and US$46 per American Depositary Share of the Company, each representing eight Shares (each, an "ADS"), or approximately US$3.3 billion in aggregate cash consideration. This represents a 16.5% premium over the closing price of US$39.50 per ADS as quoted by the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") on April 29, 2015, and a premium of 18.9% and 20.1%, respectively, over the Company's 30- and 60- trading day volume-weighted average price as quoted by the NYSE prior to April 29, 2015, the last trading day prior to the Company's announcement on April 30, 2015 that it had received a non-binding "going private" proposal.
TAKEN INTO OPERATION
Anton Paar has invested 5 million euros into the expansion of the production area and new machinery of Anton Paar ShapeTec, Anton Paar's subsidiary for subcontracting business. The state-of-the-art production facility with a total floor size of 11,500 m2 is now up and running. Anton Paar ShapeTec has benefitted from specializing on high-end production, acquiring important new long-term customers in the fields of aviation and aerospace, railed vehicles, medicinal technology and more. The numbers tell the story: Turnover has tripled in recent years; the number of employees has been doubled. The prospering business has necessitated additional production equipment to process orders for complex sheet metal parts and high-end assemblies; further investments into new machinery are planned. The sheet metal engineering, coating, component assembly and CNC machining departments have been expanded. The modern addition of 4750 m2 has created more space for people and machines. The site expansion of the measuring technology producer Anton Paar's subcontracting business for sheet metal parts, turned parts, milled parts, electronics and mechatronic assemblies was not only an adjustment to suit capacities, but will also enable the company to keep growing in the next few years. The new hall provides space for 100 additional employees; several new team members have already been found. Should business keep growing as planned, the personnel expansion will also continue in the next few months. Job openings are listed.
LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH MERCK
Codexis, Inc. announces the signing of a CodeEvolver® platform technology license agreement with Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, through a subsidiary. This transaction marks the second CodeEvolver licensing agreement between Codexis and a major pharmaceutical company and advances the technology's business model of multiple sources of revenue. Under the terms of the agreement, Codexis has granted Merck a non-exclusive license to use Codexis' proprietary CodeEvolver protein engineering platform technology to develop novel enzymes for use in the manufacture of Merck's pharmaceutical products. Upon completion of the technology transfer, a Codexis' CodeEvolver protein engineering platform will be located at a Merck research site. Codexis is eligible to receive up to $18 million over approximately the next 15 to 24 months, $5 million of which will be paid upon the signing of this agreement and an additional $13 million subject to the satisfactory completion of certain technology transfer milestones. Codexis will also be eligible to receive payments of up to maximum of $15 million for each pharmaceutical ingredient (API) using novel enzymes developed by Merck using the CodeEvolver technology and used for commercial manufacturing purposes. "This licensing transaction builds upon our productive eight-year relationship with Merck and further validates the ability of CodeEvolver to effectively and cost-efficiently improve certain manufacturing processes" stated John Nicols, President and CEO of Codexis. "We view licensing agreements involving our CodeEvolver technology such as this one with Merck as an attractive component of our business model. It allows us to monetize our core technology, while continuing to provide services and supply products to customers under our traditional business model". "This technology transfer and licensing agreement builds upon our long standing collaboration in biocatalysis with Codexis," said Rich Tillyer, senior vice president, and head of Global Chemistry, Merck Research Laboratories. "Increased access to the CodeEvolver technology positions Merck to potentially expand upon the use of enzymes in its pharmaceutical manufacturing processes".
FMC CORPORATION TO ESTABLISH NEW EUROPEAN HEADQUARTERS AND R&D CENTRE IN DENMARK
FMC Corporation has announced that it will establish a European regional headquarters and research facility in Hørsholm, a suburb of Copenhagen, Denmark. The new FMC European Innovation Centre (EIC), expected to open in 2016, will serve as a central hub for research and development, regional corporate functions and regional commercial teams. "FMC has a larger presence in Europe today with our recent acquisition of Cheminova" said Pierre Brondeau, FMC president, CEO and chairman. "The European Innovation Centre will enhance our ability to collaborate with customers and suppliers throughout the region, and ensure that we fulfil the growth potential of our newly combined company". The new centre will be located at the Scion DTU Science and Technology Park in Hørsholm, approximately 25 kilometers north of Copenhagen. It will bring together employees who currently work at sites throughout Europe and the U.S., including employees in research, sales, marketing, regional management, finance, supply chain, human resources and related functions. "Denmark is a well-known centre for food and bioscience research with an exceptional workforce" said Brondeau. "It is a country known for its strong labour force and quality of living. We look forward to bringing these important technology and commercial jobs to Hørsholm, while maintaining our manufacturing and associated support activities in Ronland, Denmark". Steen Donner, CEO, Scion DTU, commented: "The science park Scion DTU is Denmark's largest biotech cluster and is home to companies like Chr. Hansen, Roche and ALK. We are proud that FMC Corporation has chosen to locate its regional headquarter here and we are delighted to welcome them to our innovative environment".
www.fmc.com
ARDIAN TO ACQUIRE AGROCHEMICALS (ES) AND FINE CHEMICALS (IM) BUSINESS ACTIVITIES OF DPX HOLDINGS B.V.
Ardian, the independent private investment company, has announced the acquisition of the Exclusive Synthesis (ES) and Maleic Anhydride Intermediates & Specialties (IM) business activities, based in Linz, Austria, of DPx Holdings B.V. The parties have agreed not to disclose details of the transaction. The completion of the transaction is still subject to approval by the antitrust authorities. ES and IM are leading European chemical manufacturers in their respective market segments and have a 75-year tradition of translating the latest research results into scalable intermediates and end products. In the context of custom synthesis, ES develops and produces chemical intermediate products for agriculture and other industries. IM produces maleic anhydride, a large number of intermediates, derivatives and esters. With a longstanding and broad customer base, ES and IM generated combined sales of around €200 million for the 2014 financial year and have around 390 employees. With the support of Ardian, the management of ES and IM plans to significantly strengthen its market position. Ardian’s Mid Cap Buyout Team has extensive experience in the chemicals sector from previous and current investments in companies such as CABB, Novacap, Italmatch and Eliokem. This investment will focus on expanding the product portfolio through organic growth – building on the strength of existing and new customer relations – as well as through targeted strategic acquisitions. The company will also seek to realize its international growth potential by further expanding into new markets. Wolfgang Hillisch, current Managing Director of ES and IM and designated CEO, said: “With numerous investments in the chemicals industry, the Ardian team has demonstrated its familiarity with this area. We are pleased to have found an experienced and dependable partner in Ardian, as they will support the systematic development of our activities and the implementation of our growth plans”.
www.dpxholdings.com
AMRI ACQUIRES GADEA PHARMACEUTICAL GROUP
AMRI has announced that it has acquired all the outstanding shares of Gadea Pharmaceutical Group, a privately-held company located in Valladolid, Spain, specializing in technically complex active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and finished drug product. The purchase price was $174 million, including the issuance of 2.2 million shares of common stock to Gadea's owners, valued at $43.8 million, with the balance paid in cash and through the assumption of existing debt. "The acquisition of Gadea marks another milestone in our company's path towards becoming the preeminent supplier of custom and complex drug development services and product to both the branded and generic pharmaceutical industry" said William S. Marth, AMRI's president and chief executive officer. "This mutually beneficial transaction presents an exciting opportunity for our two companies that builds upon our growth, adding a strong portfolio of complex API that will augment our existing capabilities and services, and new customer relationships that will extend our global reach". "Importantly, I am pleased to welcome Gerardo Gutierrez, Gadea's founder and chief executive officer, who has joined our Board of Directors. With more than 36 years of experience in the industry and nearly 25 years at Gadea, Gerardo has demonstrated a track record of success in innovation and management in specialty API and his continued guidance will be invaluable to our efforts going forward. Mr. Javier Gallo will be leading AMRI's day to day operations in Spain in his new position as managing director, reporting to Mr. George Svokos, senior vice president, API and chief commercial officer". "For Gadea, this transaction will build on our company's proud past and position it for a powerful future" said Mr. Gutierrez, CEO of Gadea. "Our capabilities in technically challenging API and diverse customer base are highly complementary to AMRI. With this combination, we achieve our goal of being a comprehensive provider of steroid API and gain access to the US market. I look forward to joining the AMRI Board and working together to achieve our common goals".
www.amriglobal.com
FDA ACCEPTS SUPPLEMENTAL BIOLOGICS LICENSE APPLICATION (SBLA) FOR KEYTRUDA®
Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab), Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy. Merck is seeking approval for KEYTRUDA, at the currently approved dose of 2 mg/kg every three weeks, for the first-line treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma patients. The FDA granted Priority Review with a PDUFA, or target action, date of December 19, 2015. Additionally, the FDA has extended the action date for a separate sBLA for KEYTRUDA for the treatment of patients with ipilimumab-refractory advanced melanoma. The new action date is now December 24, 2015. “Through our clinical program for KEYTRUDA we have accumulated substantial data on the role of our anti-PD-1 therapy in advanced melanoma. We look forward to the FDA's review of each of these applications, and to delivering on our goal of helping patients with advanced melanoma to achieve long-term disease control and survival,” said Dr. Roger M. Perlmutter, president, Merck Research Laboratories. KEYTRUDA is currently indicated in the United States at a dose of 2 mg/kg administered as an intravenous infusion over 30 minutes every three weeks for the treatment of patients with unrespectable or metastatic melanoma and disease progression following ipilimumab and, if BRAF V600 mutation positive, a BRAF inhibitor. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumour response rate and durability of response. An improvement in survival or disease-related symptoms has not yet been established. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.
SOLVAY MAKES A STEP-CHANGE IN ITS TRANSFORMATION WITH THE ACQUISITION OF CYTEC
Solvay has entered into a definitive merger agreement with U.S.-based Cytec to acquire 100% of its share capital for US$ 75.25 per share in cash. The total cash consideration will amount to US$5.5 billion, corresponding to an enterprise value of US$ 6.4 billion and representing a 2015 estimated EBITDA multiple of 14.7x and of 11.7x when considering synergies potential linked to the transaction. The transaction price per share represents a premium of 28.9% compared to the closing price of Cytec on 28th July 2015 and a premium of 26.9% compared to the volume weighted average closing share price over the last three months. Cytec’s and Solvay’s boards of directors have unanimously recommended the transaction. “The proposed acquisition of Cytec marks a major step change in Solvay’s portfolio upgrade. It is a unique opportunity for Solvay to boost its customer offerings in light weighting with advanced materials in aerospace and automotive, as well as to strengthen its know-how with activities in mining chemicals” said Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, CEO of Solvay. “Cytec is a high-growth, high-quality group with leading market positions. We are looking forward to working with its excellent teams. This acquisition will create value for our stakeholders and will support our ambition to become a leader in sustainable chemistry. This transaction will lead us to further accelerate our transformation”. “We are excited to be joining with Solvay, a leading player in the chemical industry with over 150 years of success. Their strategic focus is perfectly aligned with our businesses, while the technology synergies with their specialty polymers and formulations expertise should accelerate our growth. Our customers and our employees should expect to see continuity and strong support of our current strategy,” said Shane Fleming, CEO of Cytec.
Headquartered in New Jersey with 4,600 employees across the globe, Cytec generated sales of US$ 2.0 billion and a 20% REBITDA margin in 2014. It sources almost half of its sales from North America, nearly a third from EMEA and the remainder from Asia Pacific and Latin America.
www.solvay.com
JOHNSON MATTHEY SIGNS MOU WITH CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
Johnson Matthey’s Chief Executive, Robert MacLeod has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Johnson Matthey and the Chinese Academy of Sciences Holdings Co., Ltd. (CASH). CASH is wholly owned by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), China’s top science and technology research and educational organisation. The MOU was signed on 31st July by Robert MacLeod and CASH General Manager Suo Jishuan under witness of CAS President Bai Chunli at CAS headquarters in Beijing, and will facilitate future broad collaboration between the two parties.
APTUIT ANNOUNCES EXPANSION
Aptuit LLC announced it has augmented existing 1600L scale API capability and commercial GMP API license with numerous investments in scale and capability in Drug Product. These include Formulation Development, Analytics and Clinical Manufacturing to serve Phase 3 and beyond as well as a commercial GMP license for Drug Product. Aptuit’s existing expertise in bioenhancement is further strengthened with additional lab scale nanomilling; hot melt extrusion, and state-of-the-art spray drying equipment including SEDDS/SMEDDS technology. Solid-state chemistry and analytical functions will benefit from XRPD, new surface area equipment and Z Potential/Dynamic Light Scattering as well as two new HPLCs. The Phase 2 GMP production scale will increase to Phase 3 and commercial levels with additional shift cycles, capsuling machines, and a new pan-coating machine. Dr. Goldman stated: “Customers have noted our unique single source high quality fully integrated solution for API and drug product up to Phase 2 scale. They wish to maintain consistency of scientific excellence, and avoid risk of technology transfer at a critical phase in product development. We have now received many requests to support programs to Phase 3 and beyond NDA filing to product launch. The expansion of capacity, numerous capital investments and adding GMP license is part of our strategy to leverage our core competency of integrated early Phase CMC to fully integrated CMC at commercial scale. We will deliver these services from our fully integrated CMC facilities in Verona, Italy, and Oxford, UK”.
VERTELLUS DOUBLES ALKANE PRODUCTION CAPACITY
Vertellus has doubled alkane production capacity at its Zeeland, Mich. hydrogenation plant. The company has invested in leading edge production equipment and infrastructure improvements that boost alkane production capacity 100% above prior levels. Vertellus expects alkanes to be one of several innovative chemistries supplying a phase change material (PCM) market anticipated to exceed $100 million by 2020. Vertellus CEO Rich Preziotti said the company is investing in new technologies that expand its product offerings and leverage production resources. “As an emerging market for PCMs, including alkanes and proprietary chemistries continues to grow, Vertellus’ product pipeline and plant locations are well positioned to cost-effectively meet the needs of customers around the globe” Preziotti said. The capacity expansion in Zeeland follows Vertellus’ recent acquisition of Pentagon Chemicals in the U.K. and Dow Chemical Company’s sodium borohydride (SBH) business. “As we integrate new assets, we continue to identify opportunities for our existing facilities to meet demand for specialized chemistries, including alkanes” Preziotti said. North America’s competitive feedstock costs resulting from low natural gas prices are helping drive Vertellus’ alkane production efficiencies. The company initiated the Zeeland upgrades in 2014, the same year it commercialized hexadecane (A16T). With added alkane production capacity in place, Vertellus will develop eicosane (A20T) in its 2015 pipeline. Octadecane (A18T) represents the company’s largest category of alkane production due to its ability to absorb and release heat close to the human body temperature. Vertellus also offers specialized chemistries and high purity grades to serve customers’ unique needs. Global Product Manager Ami El Agizy, said the company’s value proposition in the alkane market is based on providing the greatest amount of energy (latent heat) per gram delivered per cost of PCM material. “The Zeeland facility’s expanded production capacity positions Vertellus to serve as a high-volume, low-cost supplier of alkanes to customers in several industries including bedding, textiles and construction” El Agizy stated.
ICIG COMPLETES THE ACQUISITION OF VYNOVA GROUP AND APPOINTS NEW MANAGEMENT TEAM
International Chemical Investors Group (ICIG) has announced the completion of its acquisition of certain chlorvinyls assets being divested by INOVYN, the PVC joint venture between INEOS and Solvay. The newly acquired businesses form a new “Chlorvinyls” platform within ICIG named VYNOVA Group with total sales in excess of Euro 850 million, complementing ICIG’s Fine Chemicals and Custom Manufacturing platform WeylChem Group (Euro 670 million in sales), the Pharmaceuticals platform CordenPharma Group (Euro 330 million in sales) and ICIG Enterprises businesses (CarboTech, ENKA and Rütgers Organics; Euro 110 million in sales). With the addition of VYNOVA, ICIG becomes a leading European player both in the suspension polyvinyl chloride (S-PVC) and the potassium hydroxide (KOH) business, resulting in ICIG aggregated sales in excess of Euro 2 billion and approximately 6,000 employees in Europe and the US.
www.weylchem.com
