
Veranova Appoints Scott Zugel as New Global VP
Veranova welcomes Scott Zugel as Global VP of Analytical Research Development Operations.

Veranova welcomes Scott Zugel as Global VP of Analytical Research Development Operations.

NBE Therapeutics (NBE), a wholly owned subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelheim, officially opened its new ADC R&D facility in Basel.

HAS Healthcare Advanced Synthesis (HAS) recently announced the planned acquisition of Cerbios-Pharma (Cerbios), a globally recognized manufacturer of chemical and biological APIs, including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).

The completion of the deal marks the third major investment by Ineos Energy in the USA in the past three years. It increases Ineos' capital spending on energy assets in the USA to above $3 billion.

New facility will focus on crosslinkers and binders, with the potential to test tens of thousands of formulations per year. Digitalization and automation enable data-driven research and development, while networked robotics allow more efficient data generation for segment-specific application testing.

Ineos Enterprises has completed the sale of its composites business to KPS Capital Partners, LP (“KPS”) for ~€1.7 billion.

The Seqens Group, a global manufacturer of health, personal care, and specialty ingredients, recently announced a strategic partnership with Novonesis, a sustainable biological solutions provider.

Vynova Alkoxides GmbH is beginning the construction of a new alcoholates plant at Chemiepark Lülsdorf GmbH in Lülsdorf, Germany.

US healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has unveiled plans to invest over $55 billion in the US over the next four years. This significant investment marks a 25% increase compared to the previous four years, the company said.

The Global Impact Coalition (GIC), a collaborative platform led by CEOs and focused on achieving a net-zero chemicals future, has announced the addition of Moeve as its newest member.

MSD (Merck & Co.) and Hengrui Pharma recently announced that they have entered into an exclusive license agreement for HRS-5346, an investigational oral small molecule Lipoprotein(a) inhibitor.

Europe's chemical industry is in crisis, warns the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC) President Ilham Kadri, urging EU leaders to act on a 10-point rescue plan to prevent further shutdowns and loss of investments.

JFE Steel, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, and Mitsubishi Chemical collaborate to develop a carbon recycling supply chain at Mizushima Complex.

OMV has announced the expansion of its innovative ReOil technology at the Schwechat refinery near Vienna.

The Indian, woman-led startup Coco Custo is pioneering more sustainable cleaning solutions with its biodegradable laundry detergent and other eco-friendly cleaning powders. Formulated primarily from plant-based ingredients and minerals, including organic oils and coconut, Coco Custo’s products are non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and free from harmful chemicals.

Britain’s AstraZeneca wants to invest $2.5 billion in Beijing, China to establish its sixth global strategic R&D center.

Sudden shifts in demand, supply shortages and global collapse have put immense pressure on pharmaceutical logistics. To address these challenges, PHARMAP 2025 brings together industry experts to discover AI-driven supply chain optimisation, strategic logistics partnerships and digital solutions that enhance efficiency and resilience in the pharmaceutical supply chain.

Arkema has announced the launch of its Carat Project at its Carling site in France. This initiative aims to enhance the capabilities and sustainability of the facility, which specializes in producing acrylic monomers and superabsorbent polymers.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives have become increasingly important for attracting diverse perspectives, improving problem solving and advancing innovation in companies.

This interview covers key results of the study ‘Success Factor Supply Chain Management and Logistics in the Chemical Industry 2024’ by Solventure, Aimms and Miebach.

Paper is a sustainable material by nature. However, many paper products need to be treated with additives such as wet strength agents or sizing agents to improve their properties for certain applications.

Inseit, based in Bern, develops biocatalysts for industrial setups using enzyme immobilization and biocomputation. Addressing biotech and sustainability challenges, Inseit was selected for Venture Leaders Biotech and won two Nucleate accelerator prizes.

Porelio's FOMS adsorbents target PFAS, metals, and genotoxins, outperforming commercial solutions with unmatched selectivity, innovation, and sustainability.

The pharmaceutical industry requires reliable and innovative partners who can flexibly adapt to its changing demands.

The EU Green Deal has hurt Europe's industry. The Clean Industrial Deal aims to improve this, but a change of mindset at the Commission is needed.

The versatile material polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is particularly impressive due to its durability and outstanding recyclability.

Swiss pharma heavyweight Roche announced has entered into an exclusive collaboration and licensing agreement with Denmark’s Zealand Pharma. Under the terms of this agreement, the two companies will collaborate to co-develop and co-commercialize petrelintide, Zealand Pharma’s amylin analog as a standalone therapy as well as a fixed-dose combination with Roche’s lead incretin asset CT-388.

BASF and Braven Environmental, a market leader in advanced recycling, have signed a supply agreement for Braven PyChem. This recycled feedstock, derived from mixed plastic waste, will partially replace fossil resources at the BASF TotalEnergies Petrochemical (BTP) facility in Port Arthur, Texas, US, the companies said. Under the agreement, Braven will supply BASF from a multi-unit facility that it plans to build in Texarkana, Texas.

Indian generic drug maker Sun Pharma agreed to acquire US immunotherapy and targeted oncology company Checkpoint Therapeutics for an upfront value of $355 million. The transaction is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2025 and is subject to customary closing conditions.

Syngene, a global contract research, development, and manufacturing organization (CRDMO), recently announced the acquisition of its first biologics site in the USA – fitted with multiple monoclonal antibody (mAbs) manufacturing lines.

Axplora, an API small molecule and ADC (antibody-drug conjugate) manufacturer, is strengthening its position in the commercial manufacturing ADCs by launching a cutting-edge payload manufacturing workshop at its Le Mans site (France).

German contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) Adragos Pharma has completed a €4 million project to install and commission a new, cGMP-compliant liquid drug filling line and associated cartoning machine at its plant in Leipzig, Germany.

Rio Tinto has completed the $6.7 billion acquisition of Arcadium Lithium and is now the parent company of Arcadium Lithium, which will be renamed Rio Tinto Lithium and will also include the Rincon Lithium Project.

Ireland’s Jazz Pharmaceuticals signed an agreement to acquire its compatriot Chimerix for approximately $935 million. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2025.

Contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) CordenPharma has finalized plans to establish a new peptide manufacturing facility in Switzerland located at Getec Park in Muttenz near Basel. This investment is part of the company’s growth initiatives with a more than €1 billion strategic investment in peptide development and manufacturing.