ots Ad hoc-Service: Girindus AG <DE0005880405> GIRINDUS SIGNS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING TO ACQUIRE API DEVELOPMENT AND PILOT PLANT OF AVENTIS PHARMACEUTICALS IN CINCINNATI, OHIO, USA
Bergisch-Gladbach, Germany (ots Ad hoc-Service) -
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Girindus AG and Aventis Pharmaceuticals Inc. have signed a Memorandum of Uunderstanding for the proposed Girindus acquisition of Aventis Pharmaceuticals APIs (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients) development, radiochemistry and cGMP pilot manufacturing facilities in Cincinnati, Ohio, by the end of 2000. The closing of the transaction is subject to further due diligence by the parties and negotiation of definitive agreements acceptable to the parties. Under the proposed acquisition, Girindus will produce APIs at the Cincinnati facilities for Aventis Pharmaceuticals during the next three years. Thereafter, Aventis Pharmaceuticals will consider to develop a long-term outsourcing partnership with Girindus.
The intended acquisition is a major milestone in the Girindus expansion strategy to strengthen U.S. market presence. Girindus, with global headquarters in Bensberg, Germany, has been serving U.S. customers since 1986 through its sales and marketing office in Tampa, Florida. The acquisition would add advanced process R&D and sophisticated production capabilities to Girindus operations in the U.S., the worlds largest biopharmaceutical market.
The combination of Girindus U.S. facilities with its European Scale-Up and production center at Halle-Kuensebeck, Westphalia, Germany, can greatly enhance the companys overall process development and significantly increase production capabilities for a broader portfolio of API projects. Fritz Link, CEO of Girindus: "The proposed acquisition of the Cincinnati facilities will strengthen Girindus position as a One-Stop- Shop for process development, radiolabeling, Scale-Up and production of APIs for preclinical and clinical studies as well as commercialization".
The fully equipped 50,000 square-foot ( 5,000 square meters) development and pilot facilities in Cincinnati are currently staffed with more than 20 more than 20 experienced Aventis development scientists. The facilities have capacity for about 45 process associates. Approximately 5.5 acres ( 22,000 square meters) surrounding the building site offer additional space for future expansion.
The Cincinnati facilities currently provide process development services and APIs for preclinical and early clinical studies of Aventis Pharmaceuticals U.S. Drug Innovation and Approval (DI&A) research and development unit, based in Bridgewater, New Jersey. Aventis Pharmaceuticals is concentrating its new chemical development and pilot laboratories in Bridgewater with completion expected in 2002.
Aventis S.A. (NYSE: AVE) is one of the world's leading life science companies, focused on two core business areas - pharmaceuticals and agriculture. With global corporate headquarters in Strasbourg, France, Aventis employs around 90,000 people in 120 countries and recorded pro forma sales in 1998 of euro 21 billion (US $21.65 billion). Aventis was launched in December 1999 through the merger of Hoechst AG and Rhone-Poulenc S.A. Aventis Pharma AG is the pharmaceutical company of Aventis S.A. Aventis Pharma is dedicated to treating and preventing human disease through the discovery, development, manufacture and sale of innovative pharmaceutical products aimed at satisfying unmet medical needs. Aventis Pharma focuses on important therapeutic areas such as cardiology, oncology, infectious diseases, arthritis, allergies and respiratory disorders, diabetes and the central nervous system disorders. Aventis Pharma has its corporate headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany. Aventis Pharma also encompasses Aventis Pasteur, a world leader in vaccines based in Lyon, France, and Aventis Behring, a world leader in therapeutic proteins headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, USA. For more information, please visit www.aventis.com
Girindus AG (Neuer Mark, Frankfurt, Germany: GIR, WKN 588040) isa a unique technology-driven company offering the biopharmaceutical industry comprehensive skills including process R&D, c-GMP compliant SScale-Up and pProduction facilities, as well as regulatory assistance. The Girindus seScale-Up and production center at Halle-Kuensebeck in Westphalia, Germany, operations has already been successfully inspected by the FDA several times. Current available technologies include enzymatic reactions and chemical organic chemistry.
For more information please visit www.girindus.com
Contact:
Girindus AG Barbara Scharte, Investor Relations Manager
bscharte@girindus.com Phone: ++49 2204 926 934
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Original-Content von: Girindus AG i.L., übermittelt durch news aktuell