Pharmas from Synthon
28 Feb 2003
Avecia has acquired the pharmaceutical fine chemicals business of Synthon Chiragenics Corporation of New Jersey. The acquisition of the lactones and derivatives business, terms of which were not disclosed, is aimed at extending Avecia Pharmaceuticals' role in chiral technology.
The portfolio acquired by Avecia includes nearly 150 intermediates and complex chiral compounds. Through the deal, the company will gain access to a new range of C-3, C-4 and C-5 chiral entities - including the key chiral building block (S)-3-Hydroxy-gamma-butyrolactone.
The range of chiral building blocks is based on intellectual property developed at Michigan State University (MSU) and Avecia intends to continue strategic development work with the university.
Synthon has, however, retained the rights to the technology for applications in drug discovery and development, including synthesis of intermediates and APIs, up to and including pre-clinical development.
No Synthon Chiragenics personnel or facilities were involved in the acquisition.
