Degussa-Hüls, MediChem to cooperate on fine chemicals

MediChem Life Sciences Inc. (Lemont, IL), a drug discovery company, has signed a strategic alliance research and production agreement with specialty chemical maker Degussa-Hüls AG (Krefeld, Germany). Through the three-year agreement (with options for renewal) MediChem will offer customers access to active ingredients produced by the Fine Chemicals Division of Degussa-Hüls.

The latter operates cGMP-certified facilities in Hanau-Wolfgang and Dresden-Radebeul, Germany that turn out batches ranging in size from a few grams (for screening) to a few kilograms (clinical trials) through several tons (commercialization)—all from a single supplier.

For its part, Degussa-Hüls strengthens its North American presence and accesses proprietary MediChem biocatalysts for developing new active compounds. Access to the U.S. pharmaceutical market also gives Degussa an opportunity to get involved earlier on in drug development and, it hopes, to stay with a client through production.

Edited by Angelo DePalma
Managing Editor, Pharmaceutical Online and Drug Discovery Online
Email: adepalma@vertical.net