Pharma/Fine Chemicals Roundup – June 14

The demand for excipients in the U.S. will grow nearly 4%/year through 2015, driven by continued growth in the U.S. pharmaceutical production and the increasing importance of excipients in drug formulation, says a study by business research firm Freedonia (Cleveland, OH).
http://www.chemweek.com/regions/north_america/us/Demand-for-Excipients-to-Grow-in-U-S-_35508.html

Ashland agreed to acquire International Specialty Products (ISP; Wayne, NJ) for $3.2 billion in cash, expanding Ashland’s presence in higher-growth specialty chemical such as personal care and pharmaceutical ingredients.
http://www.chemweek.com/sections/business_finance/usa_americas/35451.html

Active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) manufacturer Hovione (Loures, Portugal) says it has signed a collaboration agreement with Particle Sciences Inc. (PSI; Bethlehem, PA) to pool their technologies together for projects targeting poorly water soluble drugs. Hovione and PSI are joining their solid solution technologies based on spray-drying capabilities and targeting ways to maximize the bioavailability of BCS Class II APIs.
http://www.chemweek.com/regions/north_america/us/Hovione-and-Particle-Sciences-Sign-Deal-for-Drug-Solubilization-Projects_35509.html


Lonza says it will invest SF10 million ($12 million) to expand its biopharmaceutical development services platform in Singapore.
http://www.chemweek.com/home/top_of_the_news/35314.html