Page 173 - CW E-Magazine (6-8-2024)

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BANKING ON RESEARCH POWER DEMAND
Bayer arm, Vividion Therapeutics, plans new R&D IEA forecasts global coal demand to remain unchanged

centre in US in 2024 and 2025

Vividion Therapeutics, a clinical Global coal demand is set to remain rate in the second half of 2024. In the global coal demand, and electricity con-
stage biopharmaceutical company broadly unchanged in both 2024 and fi rst half, India’s coal consumption rose sumption is growing very strongly in
utilising novel discovery technologies 2025 as surging electricity demand in sharply as a result of low hydropower several major economies. Without such
to unlock high-value, traditionally un- some major economies offsets the im- output and a massive increase in elec- rapid growth in electricity demand, we
druggable targets with precision thera- pacts of a gradual recovery in hydro- tricity demand due to extreme heat- would be seeing a decline in global coal
peutics for devastating cancers and power and the rapid expansion of waves and strong economic growth. use this year. And the structural trends
immune disorders, announced that solar and wind, according to an update at work mean that global coal demand
it will expand its global innovation released by Paris based energy think-tank, Developed world sees declines is set to reach a turning point and start
capabilities with a new R&D centre and International Energy Agency (IEA). Coal demand in Europe is continu- declining soon.”
corporate headquarters in San Diego, ing on the downward trend that began in
California (USA). Vividion is a wholly- The world’s use of coal rose by 2.6% the late 2000s, largely due to emissions Supply dynamics
owned and independently operating in 2023 to reach an all-time high, driven reduction efforts in power generation. On the supply side, global coal pro-
subsidiary of German pharma and by strong growth in China and India, After falling more than 25% in 2023, duction is expected to decrease slightly
chemicals group, Bayer. new stage in the company’s develop- “Vividion is a key component of the two largest coal consumers globally, coal power generation in the EU is fore- in 2024 after steady growth the year
ment, with multiple programmes in Bayer’s innovation strategy and its the IEA’s ‘Coal Mid-Year Update’ fi nds. cast to drop by almost as much this year. before. In 2024, coal production in
The new facility will support the clinical trials, a rich discovery port- focus on bringing fi rst-in-class medi- While coal demand grew in both the Coal use has been contracting in the US China is moderating after two years of
continued development of Vividion’s folio and expansive platform screening cines to market to address long- electricity and industrial sectors, the in recent years, but stronger electricity staggering growth. In India, the push to
R&D capabilities, including a signi- efforts focused on bringing more pre- standing unmet medical needs. This main driver was the use of coal to fi ll the demand and less switching from coal boost coal production continues, with a
fi cant increase in the company’s chemo- viously undrugged disease-causing tar- new facility will support our strategic gap created by low hydropower output to natural gas threaten to slow this trend supply increase of around 10% expected
proteomics screening capacity. More gets within the reach of small molecule growth opportunities to enable the and rapidly rising electricity demand. in 2024. Japan and Korea continue to in 2024. In advanced economies,
than half of the expansion will be dedi- therapeutics. Our new R&D centre and company to capitalise on the rich reduce their reliance on coal, although at coal production is in decline, broadly
cated to research labs where Vividion headquarters will provide the infra- array of drug discovery and clinical China and India push demand a slower pace than Europe. refl ecting demand.
will continue advancing its portfolio of structure to execute our strategic vision development opportunities afforded In China, which accounts for more
clinical and preclinical programmes as and continue to lead the way in by its pioneering chemoproteomics than half of global coal consumption, “Our analysis shows that global Despite declining domestic produc-
well as future programmes that emerge applying chemoproteomics and covalent platform,” said Mr. Stefan Oelrich, hydropower generation has been coal demand is likely to remain broadly tion in China in the fi rst half of this year,
from the company’s discovery efforts. chemistry to create fi rst-in-class medi- Member of the Board of Management recovering in 2024 from last year’s fl at through 2025, based on today’s tighter sanctions on Russian producers
cines for patients in need,” commented of Bayer AG President Pharmaceuti- exceptionally low levels. This, along- policy settings and market trends,” said and disruptions in a few exporting coun-
“Vividion has entered an exciting Dr. Aleksandra Rizo, CEO of Vividion. cals at Bayer. side continued rapid deployment of Mr. Keisuke Sadamori, IEA Director tries, the coal market is well supplied.
solar and wind, is slowing down growth of Energy Markets and Security. “The With more stable natural gas prices than
NATURAL FOOD INGREDIENTS in coal use in 2024. But an increase in continued rapid deployment of solar in recent years, coal prices remained
Syensqo acquires controlling stake in Moroccan China’s electricity demand, by 6.5% in and wind, combined with the recovery range-bound in the fi rst half of 2024.
They have returned to levels last seen
2024, makes a decline in the country’s of hydropo wer in China, is putting signi-
rosemary extraction fi rm coal consumption unlikely. In India, fi cant pressure on coal use. But the before the global energy crisis but remain
coal demand growth is set to decele-
electricity sector is the main driver of elevated due to infl ationary pressures.
Belgian speciality chemicals fi rm, “Natural preservatives are a growing
Syensqo, has completed the acquisi- segment in the bioeconomy and rosemary Pfi zer expands manufacturing footprint in Singapore
tion of a controlling stake in Azerys, a extract is a key product in food preser-
specialist in rosemary extraction with vation, requested by customers in this Pharma giant, Pfi zer, has announced oncology, pain, and antibiotic medicines the lean movement of material, reduc-
assets in El Jadida, Morocco. Azerys space. As the leading supplier of vanillin the extension of its automated Active to markets across the world. The facility tion in lead times, process turnarounds,
produces a 100% natural plant-based, to the world, we have an excellent repu- Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) manu- has passed all necessary fi nal perfor- and the continuation of best practice in
non-GMO preservatives range based tion complements Syensqo’s activities tation of quality and service and we will facturing facility in Tuas Biomedical mance qualifi cation checks and begun GMP. In addition to the existing build-
on rosemary extract, which are able to in natural vanillin produced from rice bring the same values to this new fi eld,” Park, Singapore. The SGD$1-bn commercial manufacturing of products. ings, the facility has the capacity to
replace chemical food additives, aligned bran and allows the company to expand said Mr. Jo Grosemans, Syensqo’s Head (around $745-mn) facility extension add processing suites, dry-end suites,
with consumer demand for more natural its capabilities in renewable consumer of Business Development for the Renew- spans 429,000-sq.ft. and will produce The facility, whose construction dispensaries, warehouse, and ancillary
food ingredients. This bolt-on acquisi- solutions. able Materials and Biotechnology Platform. various small molecule APIs for Pfi zer’s began in 2020, is designed to facilitate equipment as required in the future.

172 Chemical Weekly August 6, 2024 Chemical Weekly August 6, 2024 173

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