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.