Almac Sciences and BioCatalytics Inc. to co-operate on key pharma products
Almac Sciences has announced a key chiral technology agreement with BioCatalytics Inc. – a leading global player in enzyme catalyst technologies. Under the agreement, effective immediately, Almac Sciences and BioCatalytics will co-operate on an exclusive basis for the development of processes and manufacture of a group of chiral intermediates and APIs. Clinical phase and launched products are covered at all scales.
Almac Sciences will scale-up and embed BioCatalytics’ technology in a range of
“manufacturing solutions”
, in line with its supply chain solutions and virtual manufacturing business model. The objective here, says Dr David Moody, VP Commercial Operations,
“is to provide Almac Sciences’ customers with the best manufacturing solution, sited in the most appropriate assets …anywhere”.
“Chirality is already a major strength within our portfolio of connectable drug development and commercialisation services. The ability to develop and apply BioCatalytics’ excellent chiral technology is a significant addition to our portfolio”.
BioCatalytics is best known for the global pharma services industry’s most comprehensive range of enzymes and related technologies for chemical synthesis, including major platforms for both resolution and chiral synthesis.
BioCatalytics’ President and CEO David Rozzell added:
“We look forward to working with Almac Sciences to commercialize processes using our proprietary enzymatic systems. Through this partnership customers will gain the benefit of BioCatalytics’ broad enzyme technology coupled with Almac’s manufacturing expertise for the production of key chiral intermediates and APIs”.
Based in Pasadena CA., BioCatalytics offers a range of enantiomerically pure chiral chemical compounds and custom services to support its capabilities in enzymes and drug metabolite synthesis. The company’s Human Cytochrome Biocatalyst product line won the CPhI Worldwide Gold Innovation Award in Paris last October. BioCatalytics extended its operations to Europe during 2006, establishing BioCatalytics Europe GmbH in Grambach, Austria.
Recent agreements:
The technology agreement with BioCatalytics is the latest in a series by Almac Sciences to connect with key technologies. The company most recently (7 February) announced a collaboration with the University of Kentucky’s Center for Pharmaceutical Science and Technology (CPST) for cytoxic fill and finish services for clinical trial applications.
The CPST agreement completed Almac Sciences’ supply chain solutions package in cytotoxics and potents – adding to significant in-house process research, development, manufacturing and logistics capability at its Craigavon, Northern Ireland complex.
Service package:
Almac Sciences supports drug discovery, development and commercialisation through contract R&D, custom manufacturing and analytical services. The package includes speciality offerings in cytotoxic and potent manufacturing; peptides, protein and oligo synthesis, chirals and radiolabeling.
In 2006, the division – part of the Almac Group – launched Carbon 14 radiolabeling services, and commissioned a US $1m. package of new assets at its Northern Ireland and Scottish sites for enhanced multi-kilo GMP production of peptides.
Notes for Editors:
- Almac Sciences is part of the Almac Group, which comprises five closely integrated divisions offering a broad range of services from R&D, diagnostic/genomic services, API manufacture, formulation development, clinical trial supply and technology (IVRS/EDC), to commercial-scale manufacture. Almac provides services to over 600 companies including all the world leaders in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors.
- Almac Sciences operates from a £25m. 80,000 sq. ft. HQ and laboratory complex in Craigavon, Northern Ireland, with a production and R&D .center near Edinburgh, Scotland. The business has over 200 employees, including 120 scientists.
- Almac announced the re-branding of its five business divisions under the Almac brand name in mid-June 2006. Almac Group employs 2,000 people in Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and the USA. See also: almacgroup.com
- Biocatalytics Inc. In addition to its range of enzymes and their process technologies, the company actively develops patented technology for the production of pharma. intermediates – including non-natural amino acids, beta-amino acids, chiral alcohols, chiral amines, amino alcohols and other chiral compounds.
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