Lavipharm acquires exclusive rights to Phasex supercritical fluids technology

18-Dec-2000
Lavipharm laboratories Inc. (East Windsor, NJ) announced on December 6 that it has acquired rights to Phasex Corp.'s (Boston) supercritical fluids (SCF) technology, patents, trademark, and know-how for use in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic fields, together with a 30% equity stake in Phasex. Phasex applies SCF technology to development of separation, purification, and recrystallization processes, with particular emphasis on particle design of small and bio-molecules, including proteins and peptides. "Lavipharm continues to expand and strengthen its position in drug delivery," said Anthony Lavidas, chairman of Lavipharm. "The SCF technology licensed from Phasex is a great example of this initiative." Lavidas noted that Val Krukonis, founder and president of Phasex, is a highly regarded scientist and author on supercritical fluids. "In addition to his expertise and know-how in supercritical fluids and particle design of small and bio-molecules, Val will provide to us a strong knowledge base in polymers and polymer processing, which he has acquired through twenty five years of research," Lavidas added. Supercritical fluids have been used for many years to purify natural products, specialty chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. Recently, companies have turned to supercritical fluids for manufacturing pharmaceuticals with small, predictable particle size. Earlier this fall, Lavipharm announced its acquisition of the French company Separex S.A., which specializes in the formulation of proteins/peptides and small molecules, particle design, extraction and fractionation—all this using flexible SCF technology. Lavipharm now expects to become a "one-stop-shop" for companies applying supercritical fluids to both conventional pharmaceuticals and newer biotech products. "Lavipharm can now deliver early stage research and development services, design and manufacturing of highly specialized GMP/CIP equipment, and commercial manufacturing services," said Zsolt Lavotha, president and CEO of Lavipharm Laboratories Inc. "Lavipharm's capabilities as a trouble shooter for pharmaceutical and biotech companies—addressing common drug delivery issues such as poor solubility, low bio-availability, inadequate absorption and dosing frequency issues—are greatly enhanced through this expanded and strengthened technology platform. We have now put ourselves in the position where our combined expertise in the field of formulation and particle design utilizing this environmentally friendly 'green' SCF technology will undoubtedly provide significant value to our clients. There is no doubt that this is the technology platform of the future for the pharmaceutical and biotech industries," Lavotha added.

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