Huntsman Opens New Innovation Center in Belgium
Last week, US chemical producer Huntsman opened a new innovation center in Tienen, Belgium, strengthening its research and development (R&D) capabilities.
News
Siegfried to Acquire Early-Phase CDMO in US
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 to Establish New Biologics Manufacturing Plant in 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 Announce Second Strategic Partnership
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 Begins Construction of an Isopropyl Alcohol Plant in Spain
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.
TotalEnergies and Air Products Sign Agreement for Green Hydrogen Delivery in Europe
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.
BioNTech to Receive $145 Million to Expand mRNA Vaccine Production in Africa
German biotech company BioNTech and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) are expanding their strategic partnership to contribute to building a sustainable and resilient end-to-end African vaccine ecosystem. The partners said that CEPI will commit up to $145 million to support BioNTech to establish mRNA vaccine R&D as well as clinical and commercial-scale manufacturing capabilities at the company’s facility in Kigali, Rwanda.
Aurigene Opens Biologics Facility
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 and Boehringer Ingelheim Hit Milestone in Cancer Treatment Development
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.
Biesterfeld Acquires South African Composite Technology Provider Aerontec
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.
Decarbonizing for a Sustainable Future
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.
Trying Times and a Wave of Light
In February, industry leaders from 20 industrial sectors presented the ‘Antwerp Declaration for a European Industrial Deal’. The declaration emphasizes industry's dedication to Europe's transformation and outlines urgent needs to enhance Europe's competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability amid challenging economic circumstances.
Sustainable Practices in Biopharmaceuticals
BioPhorum, an industry collaboration group, focuses on advancing sustainability within the biopharmaceutical sector. In an exclusive interview, Nicola Coles, Director of BioPhorum Sustainability, shares insights into the organization’s commitment to environmentally responsible practices.
Sustainability from the Beginning
The idea that statistics can address urgent sustainability concerns at the lab bench was central to presentations at the recent JMP Discovery Summit Europe in Manchester, UK.
At the Cutting Edge of Catalysis Innovation
In this interview, Phillip Chalabi, Umicore’s director Strategic Projects and Innovation, gives an overview of the company’s activities in precious metal chemistry.
Ori Biotech Reveals Automated Platform for Cell & Gene Therapy Production
Ori Biotech a cell and gene therapy (CGT) manufacturing technology producer, recently announced the commercial launch of IRO, a next-generation platform.
Sterling Expands HPAPI Capabilities at US Facility
UK-headquartered contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) Sterling Pharma Solutions has invested $3 million at its US facility in Germantown, WI, to expand the company’s integrated antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) development and manufacturing capabilities.
Neste, Marubeni and Resonac to Collaborate on Renewable Chemicals in Japan
Neste, Marubeni and Resonac have agreed to cooperate on the production of renewable olefins and derivatives. The cooperation involves Neste RE, a Neste-produced renewable raw material, being used to manufacture products at leading Japanese chemical company Resonac’s Oita Complex in Japan. Marubeni, a major Japanese general trading and investment conglomerate, will coordinate all logistical arrangements from Neste to Resonac, the partners said.
Wacker Buys Manufacturing Assets and Know-how of Bio Med Sciences
In a move to expand its expertise and business in silicone-coated healthcare products, Germany’s Wacker Chemie has acquired the manufacturing assets and know-how of US-based Bio Med Sciences. As part of the acquisition, a majority of Bio Med Sciences’ workforce will also move to Wacker, the company said. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
LyondellBasell Completes Acquisition of 35% Stake in Natpet from Alujain
LyondellBasell (LYB) has completed the acquisition of a 35% interest in Saudi Arabia-based National Petrochemical Industrial Company (Natpet) from Alujain. The transaction was announced in January of this year.
Enzene Launches Drug Discovery Services Division
Enzene Biosciences, a global CDMO announces the launch of a new Drug Discovery Division.
ConocoPhillips to Acquire Marathon Oil
US oil and gas giant ConocoPhillips has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Marathon Oil for $22.5 billion, including net debt of $5.4 billion. The transaction, which is subject to the approval of Marathon Oil stockholders, regulatory clearance and other customary closing conditions, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Hanwha, Ineos to Study Low-Carbon Ammonia Plant in the US
South Korean conglomerate Hanwha and Ineos Nitriles intend to collaborate in a study for a low-carbon ammonia facility with carbon sequestration in the US, with a capacity of more than 1 million tons per annum.
QatarEnergy to Supply Koch with Urea under 15-Year Deal
QatarEnergy signed a long-term urea supply agreement with US-based Koch Fertilizer. The 15-year supply agreement, starting in July 2024, covers up to 740,000 metric tons per year of product.
MSD to Acquire EyeBio for up to $3 Billion
US drugmaker Merck & Co. (MSD) has agreed to acquire privately held ophthalmology-focused biotechnology company Eyebiotech (EyeBio).
J&J Acquires Rights to Numab's Bispecific Antibody NM26
US healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson (J&J) agreed to acquire Yellow Jersey Therapeutics (YJT) from biotechnology company Numab Therapeutics in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $1.25 billion, giving it worldwide rights to the novel, investigational bispecific antibody NM26.
Lilly Increases Investment in Indiana Site to $9 Billion
Eli Lilly plans to invest another $5.3 billion in its US manufacturing site Lebanon, Indiana, increasing the company's total investment in this site $9 billion. The investment will expand Lilly's capacity to manufacture active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) for tirzepatide injections marketed under the Zepbound and Mounjaro brands.
AkzoNobel To Close Three Manufacturing Sites
AkzoNobel has announced the intention to close the manufacturing sites of Groot-Ammers (The Netherlands), Cork (Ireland), and Lusaka (Zambia) and transfer the production to other locations in the region.
Biogen Acquires Human Immunology Biosciences
Biogen and Human Immunology Biosciences (HI-Bio), a privately-held clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on targeted therapies for patients with severe immune-mediated diseases (IMDs), have entered into a definitive agreement. Biogen has agreed to acquire HI-Bio for $1.15 billion (€1.06 billion) upfront and up to $650 million (€600.5 million) in potential milestone payments.
EuroAPI Secures €130-150 Million Animal Health Contract
EuroAPI has entered into a Contract Manufacturing Organization (CMO) agreement with a global animal health company.
US Chemical Producers Express Optimism about Economy
US chemical manufacturers report their company’s activity level overall (e.g., sales, production, output) improved in the first quarter of 2024, according to the latest findings from American Chemistry Council’s (ACC) Chemical Manufacturing Economic Sentiment Index (ESI). While chemical manufacturers’ sentiment regarding the state of the global economy remained negative in Q1, their assessment of the US economy improved.
DuPont to Split Into Three Companies, CEO Breen Resigns
On Wednesday, DuPont announced plans to separate into three publicly traded companies. The Electronics and Water businesses will become independent companies, with the remainder of the company to comprise New DuPont. The splits are expected to be complete within 18 to 24 months, and do not require shareholder approval, the company said.
Genmab Completes Acquisition of ProfoundBio
Genmab has completed its $1.8 billion acquisition of ProfoundBio, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing next-generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and ADC technologies for the treatment of cancers.
