Almac Group and DSM Pharmaceutical Products Collaboration Agreement in Biocatalysis Continues With Success

February 18, 2013 -- In October 2012, Almac announced a collaboration agreement with DSM Pharmaceutical Products, the custom manufacturing and technology business of Royal DSM N.V. (NYSE, Euronext: DSM KON), in the field of biocatalysis to provide sustainable manufacturing services to the pharmaceutical industry, and is pleased to report the continuing success of the relationship, including the successful transfer of enzymes for enzyme screening, process development and scale-up manufacture.

The agreement grants both parties access to their enzyme platform technologies, services and expertise for the manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Almac’s expertise in rapid enzyme identification, scale-up and implementation into early phase projects complements DSM’s experience and track record of over 30 commercial manufacturing bioprocesses run on a multi-ton scale. This gives customers of either party access to enzyme expertise and assets resulting in cost-effective, green processing at all phases of development from preclinical to commercial manufacturing scale. The collaboration also enables Almac to offer its customers a preferred partner for large-scale production.

Since then, Almac and DSM have initiated and completed multiple projects together in the fields of ketoreductase, transaminase, biooixdation and hydrolase. Having access to the largest portfolio of off-the-shelf enzymes has really aided in moving projects from conception to reality for customers of both companies.

Dr. Tom Moody, Head of Almac Biocatalysis, stated “The success of the projects undertaken between Almac and DSM already demonstrates there is a market for scalable green technologies to access difficult-to-make chiral chemicals. Cost remains a prevalent issue within the industry and the introduction of enzymes into processes earlier in the drug discovery pipeline helps to drive cost down as projects move forward. Our collaboration is delivering real rewards to clients from both a technical and financial perspective”.

Almac’s success in the biocatalysis field was further endorsed recently, by the completion of the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Queens University Belfast to develop, improve and embed bioprocesses in order to facilitate the delivery of novel products for its biocatalysis business. The project was awarded the highest grade of “Outstanding” by the KTP Grading Panel for it’s achievement in meeting KTP’s objectives.

About Almac

The Almac Group provides a broad range of services from R&D, biomarker discovery and development, API manufacture, formulation development, clinical trial supply and IXRS® technology (IVRS/IWRS), to commercial-scale manufacture. Almac provides services to more than 600 companies, including all the world leaders in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. The company employs over 3,300 individuals and is headquartered in Craigavon, Northern Ireland. US operations are based in Pennsylvania, North Carolina and California.

For more information about the Almac Group, please visit www.almacgroup.com or e-mail info@almacgroup.com

About DSM – Bright Science. Brighter Living.™

Koninklijke DSM NV is a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials. By connecting its unique competences in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences DSM is driving economic prosperity, environmental progress and social advances to create sustainable value for all stakeholders. DSM delivers innovative solutions that nourish, protect and improve performance in global markets such as food and dietary supplements, personal care, feed, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automotive, paints, electrical and electronics, life protection, alternative energy and bio-based materials. DSM’s 22,000 employees deliver annual net sales of about € 9 billion. The company is listed on NYSE Euronext. More information can be found at www.dsmpharmaceuticalproducts.com and www.dsm.com.

Tristan Jervis

Managing Partner

Holborn Gate, 26 Southampton Buildings

London WC2A 1BP

Telephone: +44 (0)207 203 6742

Direct: +44 (0)207 203 6740

E-mail: t.jervis@defacto.com

www.defacto.com

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