NEWS
advanced Ingenza’s proprietary inABLE suite of capabilities in gene expression, microbial strain improvement and bioprocess scale. The technology will now be evaluated and developed by Syngenta to bring innovative crop products to market.
Global specialty chemicals company, Italmatch Chemicals, which produces and markets performance additives for lubricants, industrial water and process treatment, oil and gas, and plastics, has acquired Brazilian distribution company Sudamfos do Brasil. The acquisition gives Italmatch Chemicals a stronger presence in the Latin American market.
French cosmetics company, L’Oréal and Paris-based Carbios, which specialises in enzymatic bioprocesses applied to plastic and textile polymers, have signed an agreement to found a five-year consortium to bring Carbios’ bio- recycling technology to market on an industrial scale. The partnership will be open to industries from other sectors looking to develop new plastic bio- recycling solutions.
Mereo BioPharma Group, a clinical stage, UK-based, biopharmaceutical company focused on rare and speciality diseases, has reached an agreement with AstraZeneca for an exclusive licence, including an option to acquire AZD9668, an oral inhibitor of neutrophil elastase. Under the license the company plans to conduct a Phase II study for the treatment of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, a congenital orphan condition. The company also has the right to exercise its option to acquire AZD9668 after the pivotal studies.
Mutabilis, a company specialising in the discovery of therapeutic approaches to treat resistant bacterial infections, has joined the European ENABLE project (European Gram-negative Antibacterial Engine), which aims to develop antibiotics against infections caused by multi-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Under the consortium arrangement, 75% of expenditure incurred up to Phase I trials will be reimbursed, throughout the period of collaboration.
US-based NeoGenomics, a provider of
cancer-focused genetic testing services, has opened its first international laboratory facility in Rolle, Switzerland, as a separate subsidiary, NeoGenomics Europe. The expansion brings the company’s Pharma Services menu to the European market and will provide continuity of services for European- based clinical trials.
IN-PART, a technology company that brings together universities and businesses across the globe, has launched IN-PART: Discover – a scouting service for R&D professionals. The service will provide companies with opportunities for collaboration, specific to their requirements. The platform features an algorithm to smart-match companies with the best and most relevant commercially-ready research from 96 university clients, including some of the most prestigious research institutions worldwide.
The North American Center for Research on Advanced Materials, established by BASF five years ago, is to continue for another five years. The research alliance between Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst will focus in this next phase on bioscience and catalysis research, digitalisation and working with start-up organisations.
Swiss agricultural major, Syngenta has entered into a binding agreement with COFCO (China Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation) International to acquire Nidera Seeds, currently owned by COFCO. Completion of the transaction is subject to clearance by the relevant merger-control authorities. Financial terms of the transaction are not disclosed. In addition, Syngenta has signed an updated memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the US Agency for International Development to promote food security activities among smallholder farmers activities in Africa, Asia and Latin America. This renewed collaboration, which started in 2013, aims to improve R&D, technology adoption and farmer know-how to boost farm productivity, as well as tackling challenges like the recent invasion of the autumn armyworm pest in Africa.
At the Sepawa Congress and European Detergents Conference in Berlin, Germany, during October, Clariant launched a renewable surfactant for hand dishwashing in liquid detergents, GlucoPure Sense, based on 100% sunflower oil and 100% renewable glucose, both sourced in Europe. It has a Renewable Carbon Index of greater than 96%, with an active matter content of 50-55% oleyl glucamide. It is claimed to be the first surfactant to carry no irritant labels (H318 or H319) under the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) of classification and allows formulations with no irritant or corrosive labels consistent with EU regulations.
Also in October, at Fakuma, held in Friedrichshafen, Germany, the
German-head- quartered global
manufacturer
of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), Kraiburg presented a new range of elastomers developed for automotive applications such as EPDM window trim and sealing profiles with moulded TPE corner joints and end elements that are dimensionally stable. This has previously been achieved with styrene-butadiene compounds and crosslinked thermoplastic vulcanised rubber to provide adhesion and weathering resistance. Kraiburg has also supplied five different TPEs, including halogen-free flame retardant materials, to ContaClip to produce KDSClick, a flexible cable entry system that comprises inlays and various seal elements.
BASF has developed a two-layer solid tyre system, using Elastopan polyurethane, produced in different densities, for ofo, a China-based multinational bike sharing company. The outer layer is designed to handle rough surfaces, while the inner layer provides shock absorption thereby eliminating inner tube patching and repair.
Elastopan’s performance and a unique tread design are said to give improved anti-slip performance while being 30% lighter than conventional bicycle tyres. The bicycle sharing company has recently launched shared bikes in the UK, Austria, Russia, Italy, the Czech republic and the Netherlands and has more than 10m bikes in over 180 cities across 13 countries.
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