ST. LOUIS, Jan. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SAFC(R), a member of the Sigma-Aldrich(TM) Group , has announced the second-phase of a $600,000 expansion of its solid-state services Pharmorphix(TM) research facility in Cambridge, UK, adding 7,500 sq. ft. of laboratory capacity to support this fast growing business within its SAFC Pharma(TM) focus area (http://www.safc-pharmorphix.com).
Solid-form characterization and research enhances understanding and allows modification of the physical properties of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to ensure patient benefit, optimize product development and protect intellectual property. As part of a multi-phase development program the additional, fully refitted space is scheduled for completion in the first quarter, 2008 and will augment the current 12,500 sq. ft. facility. The development includes office reorganization and will facilitate installation later this year of additional state-of-the-art spectroscopic and diffraction equipment.
SAFC Pharma Vice President of Manufacturing and European Operations, Michael Harris commented, “As new drugs and the regulatory climate continues to become more complex, testing analysis and optimization of APIs plays an increasingly key role in drug development. Through our Pharmorphix solid-state research services SAFC Pharma is a recognized and capable player in this complex field. The additional facilities reinforce our commitment to support customers in niche technologies and is expected to support SAFC business growth from Europe, the US and, increasingly, from Asia Pacific”.
SAFC Pharma is a trusted leader for development and manufacturing of complex small molecule APIs and biologic drug products. This new expansion follows a recently announced $12 million expansion of SAFC Pharma’s viral product manufacturing facility in Carlsbad, CA and the Pharmorphix services launch in the U.S. at its flagship high-potent manufacturing facility in Madison, WI, with new XRPD (X-ray Powder Diffraction) analytical equipment. Other recently announced investments include a $10 million expansion of commercial-scale APIs manufacturing and storage capacity, respectively, at Arklow, Ireland and Buchs, Switzerland, a $29 million potent-fermentation expansion in Jerusalem, Israel and a high-potent API conjugation suite at its St Louis, MO manufacturing campus.
About SAFC: SAFC(R) is the custom manufacturing and services group within Sigma-Aldrich that focuses on high-purity inorganics for high technology applications, cell culture products and services for biopharmaceutical manufacturing, biochemical production and the manufacturing of complex, multi-step organic synthesis of APIs and key intermediates. SAFC has manufacturing facilities around the world dedicated to providing manufacturing services for companies requiring a reliable partner to produce their custom manufactured materials. SAFC has four focus areas -- SAFC Pharma(TM), SAFC Supply Solutions(R), SAFC Biosciences(TM), and SAFC Hitech(TM) -- and had annual sales of nearly $500 million in 2006. SAFC is one of the world’s 10 largest fine chemical businesses. For more information about SAFC visit http://www.safcglobal.com.
About Sigma-Aldrich: Sigma-Aldrich is a leading Life Science and High Technology company. Its biochemical and organic chemical products and kits are used in scientific and genomic research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, the diagnosis of disease and as key components in pharmaceutical and other high technology manufacturing. The Company has customers in life science companies, university and government institutions, hospitals, and in industry. Over one million scientists and technologists use its products. Sigma-Aldrich operates in 36 countries and has 7,800 employees providing excellent service worldwide. Sigma-Aldrich is committed to Accelerating Customer Success through Leadership in Life Science, High Technology and Service. For more information about Sigma-Aldrich, please visit its award-winning Web site at http://www.sigma-aldrich.com.
Cautionary Statement: This release contains forward-looking statements relating to future performance, goals, strategic actions and initiatives and similar intentions and beliefs and other statements regarding the Company’s expectations, goals, beliefs, intentions and the like, which involve assumptions regarding the Company’s operations and conditions in the markets the Company serves. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
SAFC(R) and SAFC Supply Solutions(R) are registered trademarks of Sigma-Aldrich Biotechnology L.P.
Sigma-Aldrich(TM), SAFC Pharma(TM), SAFC Biosciences(TM) and SAFC Hitech(TM) are trademarks of Sigma-Aldrich Biotechnology L.P.
CONTACT: Dr. Frank Wicks, President of SAFC, +1-314-286-8008; or Mr.
Richard Kerns, Managing Director of Northern Exposure PR, +44-161-728-5880,
for Sigma-Aldrich
Web site: http://www.sigma-aldrich.com/
