ST. LOUIS—The Fine Chemicals division of Sigma-Aldrich (SAFC) announced it had acquired Honeywell International's custom chemical synthesis business, Iropharm, which is based in Arklow, Ireland. The move significantly expands SAFC's ability to manufacture APIs and pharmaceutical intermediates, thereby facilitating its ability to support drug development. While financial terms were not disclosed, the acquisition was financed with cash and is expected to be neutral to mildly accretive to SAFC earnings in 2006.

 

With a total reactor capacity of 90,000 L, the Arklow facility is an FDA-inspected cGMP site and features a simulated moving bed (SMB) multi-column separation system, which it uses to resolve chiral compounds. "Because over 80 percent of newly developed drugs are chiral drugs and Iropharm is a leading player in the global field of SMB custom manufacturing, this addition puts SAFC in an even stronger position to serve the pharmaceutical industry," said Frank Wicks, president of SAFC.

 

All current Iropharm employees in good standing, including the company's existing management team, will remain at the facility, working in conjunction with SAFC to leverage both companies manufacturing strengths.