Page 169 - CW E-Magazine (4-2-2025)

News from Abroad

INDUSTRY-ACADEMIA TIE-UP
Sartorius sets up biomanufacturing lab at Canada’s

McMaster University

Sartorius, a German life-science processes – ultimately driving
group and leading provider of labora- faster developments of im-
tory instruments & consumables, and proved therapies that will be
Canada’s McMaster University, recently accessible to patients around
opened a new bioprocessing automation the world.”
lab at the university’s Faculty of Engi-
neering in Hamilton, Ontario. The funding for the new
facility comes via stage two
The 1,600-sq.ft. research facility was of the Biosciences Research
created complementing a substantial con- Infrastructure Fund (BRIF)
tribution of advanced biomanufacturing competition, the centrepiece
equipment from Sartorius, a long-stand- of a $2.2-bn CAD national
ing partner of the university. The lab will for chronic illnesses such as autoimmune programme developed to build a strong
serve as a training and development hub, disorders and cancers,” said Dr. Heather domestic biomanufacturing and life
where McMaster students and Sartorius Sheardown, Dean of the Faculty of Engi- sciences sector. This makes it the first
employees work with other industry neering at McMaster University. BRIF-funded facility to open in Canada.
partners to accelerate developments in
bioprocess modelling, simulation and Prof. Dr. Oscar-Werner Reif, Chief “With public and private sector sup-
advanced control. Technology Officer of Sartorius, added, port, this cutting-edge facility will help
“This partnership enables McMaster prepare the new generation of innova-
“The opening of the Sartorius Bio- University and Sartorius to explore and tors,” said Dr. Sylvain Charbonneau,
process Automation Lab marks a milestone industrialise innovative bioprocessing President and CEO of the Canada Foun-
in McMaster’s commitment to advancing solutions together with partners from dation for Innovation. Building on these
biomanufacturing capabilities in Canada. the biopharmaceutical industry. In this contributions, a team of McMaster re-
This generous contribution will support state-of-the-art facility young researchers searchers has secured additional Alliance
technological innovations in large-scale from academia and the industry will Grant funding from the Natural Sciences
biotherapeutics manufacturing that jointly develop innovative modelling and and Engineering Research Council of
enhance production efficiency and ultimately predictive control solutions that help to Canada (NSERC) to launch an extensive
expand access to life-saving treatments simplify and accelerate biomanufacturing four-year collaboration with Sartorius.
Azelis arm inks flavour & fragrance ingredients

distribution deal for North America

Vigon International, a part of the ment strengthens Vigon’s lateral value facturing footprint and high-quality
Belgian chemical distribution firm, chain, complementing its offering of ingredients. “By joining forces with
Azelis, has inked an exclusive distri- over 3,000 ingredients with new Vigon, Natara can ensure that custo-
bution agreement in North America with botanical extracts (notably Saint John’s mers receive not only our top-tier
Natara to offer flavour and fragrance bread, fenugreek, licorice, and kola), products but also the best service pos-
ingredients new speciality aroma chemicals (such sible. This approach allows us to better
as thiazoles and pyrazines) and new meet the needs of our customers in the
Effective March 1, Vigon will offer natural chemicals (in particular, noot- US and Canada, continuing our tradi-
Natara’s range of botanical extracts katones).The partnership will leverage tion of excellence in the flavour and
and speciality molecules to select cus- Vigon’s commercial and fulfilment fragrance industry,” said Mr. Yoram
tomers in North America. This agree- capabilities with Natara’s global manu- Knoop, CEO of Natara.

Chemical Weekly February 4, 2025 169

Contents Index to Advertisers Index to Products Advertised