German chemicals, pharmaceuticals and life sciences group Merck entered a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Afrigen Biologics to support the development of an mRNA vaccine technology platform. The collaboration is aimed at advancing mRNA platform manufacturing capabilities, scaling up production, optimizing processes, and providing troubleshooting expertise, the companies said.
Belgium-headquartered specialty materials producer Syensqo and Allozymes, a Singaporean enzyme engineering start-up, have signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to leverage both companies’ expertise in biotechnology to develop advanced biosolutions for home and personal care, particularly for the skin care market.
Italian engineering group Maire Tecnimont announced that its subsidiary NextChem, which specializes in sustainable technology solutions, has been awarded a feasibility study and a pre-FEED (front-end engineering design) contract by FertigHy to use NX Stami Green Ammonia and NX Stami Nitric Acid technologies.
Navin Molecular, an Indian-headquartered CDMO with small molecule development and manufacturing capabilities, recently announced a Rs 288 Crore (approximately €32.6 million/$35 million) investment to construct a 9,000 m2 GMP manufacturing plant in Dewas, India. The new facility will nearly double the overall capacity at the site to 420 m3. It will support existing commercial-scale projects and meet future demands as the company continues to expand its global customer base.
In a move to enter the activated carbon market for micropollutants removal, Finnish chemicals company Kemira has agreed to purchase Norit’s UK reactivation business from Purton Carbons. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of2024. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
South Korea-headquartered contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) SK Bioscience plans to acquire a 60% stake in IDT Biologika, a German CDMO specialized in vaccines, gene and immune therapy and oncolytic viruses, from Klocke Group. Klocke will retain a 40% stake in IDT Biologika and thus remains the company's second-largest shareholder.
AbbVie has acquired Celsius Therapeutics, a privately held biotechnology company developing new therapies inflammatory diseases, for $250 million in cash. The transaction is subject to certain customary adjustments.
Specialty material solutions provider Trinseo recently announced the opening of its polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) depolymerization facility in Rho, Italy. The pilot facility demonstrates the company’s commitment to sustainability by advancing next-generation recycling technology for acrylic solutions, in line with Trinseo’s 2030 Sustainable Product Portfolio Goals.
US contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) Veranova has initiated an expansion of its antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) and highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredient (HPAPI) development and manufacturing capabilities at its US facility in Devens, Massachusetts.
In a move to enhance its chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC) capabilities, UK-based process research and development contract research organization (CRO) CatSci has acquired chromatography provider Reach Separations. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
DuPont has signed an agreement to acquire US medical device contract manufacturer Donatelle Plastics. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter 2024, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions and receipt of regulatory approvals. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
BASF and Eramet Cancel Plans on Nickel-Cobalt Refining Complex in Indonesia
Ozempic producer Novo Nordisk announced plans to invest $4.1 billion to build a second fill and finishing manufacturing facility in Clayton, North Carolina, for the production of obesity and diabetes drugs.
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US scientific services supplier Thermo Fisher Scientific has opened a new 72,500-square-foot clinical research laboratory building at its good manufacturing practices (GMP) lab in Middleton, Wisconsin, USA.
Dow has signed an agreement to acquire US company Circulus, a recycler of plastic waste into post-consumer resin (PCR). The transaction includes two facilities, one in Ardmore, Oklahoma, and another in Arab, Alabama, with a total capacity of 50,000 metric tons per year. Dow expects the transaction to close in the third quarter of 2024, subject to customary regulatory approval.
US specialty chemicals company Solenis and Chinese synthetic biology company Beijing PhaBuilder Biotechnology Co. (PhaBuilder) agreed to collaborate on further developing key polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-based technology for the paper packaging market.
French chemical producer Arkema has reported a breakthrough in new manufacturing processes that incorporate up to 40% recycled content from old packaging into its powder coating resins.
German chemical company Wacker Chemie has broken ground for its new production site in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic. Wacker plans to produce room-temperature-curing high-performance silicones there from the end of 2025 and high-consistency silicone rubbers from 2028.
Japan’s Shin-Etsu Chemical has made an offer to acquire all of the shares in its affiliate Mimasu Semiconductor Industry for ¥68.0 billion (approximately $430.9 million). Shin-Etsu will raise its stake in Mimasu to 100% from the current 43.87%. The tender offer will begin on June 21, with the aim of closing by the end of Aug. 5.
Zofingen, Switzerland-based contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) Siegfried has signed a binding agreement to acquire an early-phase CDMO site in Grafton, Wisconsin, US, from Curia. The transaction is expected to close by July 1, subject to customary closing conditions.
Fujifilm hast completed the construction of a new factory for advanced semiconductor materials in Pyeongtaek City, Korea. The new factory will produce color filter materials for image sensors. The new factory is scheduled to be fully operational by the end of December 2024.
Actylis, a global manufacturer and sourcing expert of critical materials and performance ingredients for the life sciences and specialty chemicals markets formed in 2022, appointed Scott Thomson as new Chief Executive Officer.
US drugmaker AbbVie and Chinese biopharmaceutical company FutureGen have entered into a license agreement to develop FG-M701, a next generation TL1A antibody for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) currently in preclinical testing.
Austrian start-up Vienna Textile Lab produces biodegradable dyes and pigments utilizing naturally occurring microorganisms. Low-emission production, the use of renewable raw materials and the biodegradability of the final product are significant sustainability aspects of the innovation and its contribution to a circular economy.
Last week, US chemical producer Huntsman opened a new innovation center in Tienen, Belgium, strengthening its research and development (R&D) capabilities.
Siegfried, a global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) for the pharmaceutical industry headquartered in Zofingen, Switzerland, has signed binding agreements with Curia Global for the acquisition of an early-phase CDMO site in Grafton, Wisconsin, US.
Kyowa Kirin announced a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Sanford, North Carolina, US. Kyowa Kirin will invest up to $530 million (€489 million) in constructing a 15,951m2 two-bioreactor facility, scheduled to break ground in Q3 of 2024.
Ipsen and Marengo Therapeutics Inc, a clinical-stage biotech company, announced today the expansion of their ongoing oncology research partnership, to include TriStar, Marengo’s next-generation, precision T cell engager (TCE) technology.
CEPSA has begun constructing a plant to produce 80,000 mt of isopropyl alcohol in Spain. The new facility represents an investment of € 75 million. The facility will be able to replace fossil-based raw materials with sustainable materials, thereby reinforcing CEPSA's Positive Motion strategy to drive the energy transition.
Air Products and TotalEnergies have entered into a 15-year contract to annually deliver 70,000 tons of green hydrogen in Europe, commencing in 2030. This first long-term agreement is a response to TotalEnergies' tender for 500,000 tons of green hydrogen per year, aimed at reducing carbon emissions from TotalEnergies' European refineries.
Aurigene Pharmaceutical Services Limited (Aurigene), a Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Limited company, inaugurated its biologics facility spread across 6500 m2 (70,000 sq ft) in Hyderabad, India.
Quantro Therapeutics, which focuses on transcription factors targeting cancer treatments, announced that it has reached a key milestone in its joint R&D program with Boehringer Ingelheim.
In a move to continue its geographical expansion, Hamburg-based German distributor Biesterfeld has acquired Aerontec, a South African supplier and distributor of advanced composite materials and related technology.
Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the supply chain lies outside of a company’s direct control, so collaboration with suppliers and partners in the supply chain is key.
