NOV / DEC 2021
Ecolab to acquire Purolite
Ecolab has agreed to acquire Purolite , a supplier of ion exchange resins for the separation and purification of solutions based in Pennsylvania , for $ 3.7 billion in cash . This should close within Q4 , subject to regulatory clearance and other closing conditions . It is expected to be revenue-neutral in 2022 and slightly accretive in 2023 . Purolite operates in more than 30 countries and employs about 1,000 people , with expected 2021 sales of around $ 400 million . It will operate as a separate global business unit and its results will be reported within Ecolab ' s Life Sciences division .
Enzymatic investment
Ecolab said that Purolite will complement its own current offer in the life sciences industries , where demand for purification services is growing at double-digit rates . Purolite is also active in the microelectronics , nuclear power , food and beverage , and other industries . Purolite was said to have a “ highly recurring business model ”, as it is usually part of FDA drug filings in life sciences . In addition , it has a particularly promising innovation in the form of jetted agarose resin beads , which are claimed to offer exceptional performance in mRNA vaccine production and mAb purification .
In partnership with Aguettant Pharmarmaceutical , Italy ’ s Olon Group is to expand and renovate its plant in Mulazzano , which is dedicated to enzymatic production . It will install reactors , filters and ancillary equipment , as well as automating and digitalising some steps performed there . A new line will be dedicated to the large-scale production of phosphorylated sugar , a key carbohydrate intermediate in the metabolism and storage of glucose , which is used to produce an injectable treatment . The Mulazzano site has been developing the process using renewable raw materials and reagents over many years . In parallel , Olon has formed a network of scientific excellence to launch large-scale biocatalysis as an industrial technology at its sites . Its partners are Biosphere , an Italian SME specialised in fermentation and industrial biotechnology , and Professor Francesco Mutti ’ s Biocatalysis Group at the Van ’ t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences ( HIMS-Biocat ) at the University of Amsterdam . HIMS-Biocat has pioneered research in enzyme engineering and the use of enzymes for sustainable and green chemical reactions . Olon has also begun an investment in an HPAPI line at the facility of its Olon Ricerca Bioscience ( ORB ) at Concord , Ohio . In the longer term , it will increase capacity to meet demand of up to a hundred grams and mirror the Italian facilities , which can produce HPAPIs on a larger scale . ORB added that it can now bridge the gap between the pre-clinical phase and commercial production .
IN BRIEF
The name is Arxada
LSI , which was launched in July after its sale by Lonza , has rebranded itself Arxada . The name is derived from Latin words for ‘ citadel ’ and ‘ fortress ’. “ In the same way that a citadel acts as a stronghold or protector , Arxada provides solutions that strengthen the performance of its customers and their products , and help to protect people , places and the planet ,” the company said .
Cambrex expands
Cambrex is to spend over $ 30 million to expand at High Point , North Carolina . It will add new chemistry laboratories , two new clinical manufacturing suites and a small-scale commercial manufacturing operation with three work centres and 2,000-litre reactors , which will include dedicated facility for orphan drugs and niche therapies with < 500 kg / year in volume .
Bachem boosted
Bachem has raised around CHF 584 million by placing 750,000 new shares at CHF 778 / share . These have begun trading on the SIX Swiss Exchange . The company said that this will enable it to finance capacity expansions , most notably by accelerating the construction of its largest manufacturing facility to date in Bubendorf , Switzerland .
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