Ludwigshafen, Germany, April 30, 2012 – BASF will transfer the
pharmaceutical production of KolliphorTM TPGS (Speziol® TPGS
Pharma, vitamin E polyethylene glycol succinate), manufactured at the
company’s Kankakee, Illinois (USA), site, to its Minden, Germany,
facility. The transition is expected to be completed by the first quarter
of 2014.
“Expanding the Kolliphor TPGS manufacturing capacity at our Minden
site is another example of BASF’s commitment to the pharmaceutical
and dietary supplement market. The relocation creates a more
centralized production facility, reduces complexity in the production
setup, and provides room for future expansion,” said Dr. Thorsten
Schmeller, Head of Global Marketing New Products at BASF’s Global
Business Unit Pharma Ingredients & Services. The Minden site has
manufactured active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients
under cGMP for more than 70 years and is regularly inspected by the FDA and European health authorities. Schmeller: “Thanks to the ICH Q7 quality management standards at our Minden site, we will be able to offer a
Kolliphor TPGS grade that fulfills the requirements of an API.”
Commitment to a seamless transition
Until the production in Minden is fully operational, BASF will continue to
manufacture Kolliphor TPGS at the Kankakee site, which will fully support
pharmaceutical and nutraceutical customers during the transition. “We
have scheduled a generous supply overlap that we expect allows for a
seamless transition,” added Schmeller. “Our projection also takes into
account the appropriate qualification period required to transition products
used in pharmaceutical applications.” Kolliphor TPGS production at the
Minden site is expected to start in the first quarter of 2013.
The Kankakee site remains an important production facility for BASF’s
nutrition and health business. Besides food ingredients, the company
manufactures ingredients for soaps, shampoos, detergents, coatings, inks
and adhesives at the site.
Kolliphor TPGS is a water-soluble derivative of vitamin E that can directly
enhance the bioavailability of poorly soluble active substances. It is
commonly used in pharmaceutical and nutritional formulations, but also in
cosmetics. Additionally it has plasticizing effects that are very beneficial for
emerging platform technologies in the pharmaceutical industry such as hot
melt extrusion (HME).
About Nutrition & Health
BASF’s Nutrition & Health division develops, produces and markets a
comprehensive range of products and services for the pharmaceuticals, aroma
chemicals, human nutrition and animal nutrition industries. The division addresses
customer needs and enhances consumers’ well-being and quality of life. The division
provides the pharmaceutical industry with active ingredients such as caffeine and
ibuprofen, as well as excipients and customized synthesis services. Nutrition &
Health produces aroma chemicals such as citral and geraniol for the flavor and
fragrance industry. Important human nutrition products are vitamins and carotenoids,
plant sterols, emulsifiers and omega-3 fatty acids. Its feed additives such as
vitamins, carotenoids and enzymes make Nutrition & Health a worldwide leader for
the animal nutrition market.
About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its
portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop
protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success, social
responsibility and environmental protection. Through science and innovation we
enable our customers in almost all industries to meet the current and future needs
of society. Our products and system solutions contribute to conserving resources,
ensuring healthy food and nutrition and helping to improve the quality of life. We
have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry
for a sustainable future. BASF posted sales of about €73.5 billion in 2011 and had
more than 111,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded
on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further
information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com