13 March 2018 – Swedish bio-technology company I-Tech AB has today announced the strategic acquisition of manufacturing process technology and IP, for the production of medetomidine, from Cambrex Corporation (NYSE: CBM).
The transaction consolidates the supply chain and improves I-Tech’s industrial capabilities. I-Tech AB has registered and patented medetomidine as a marine antifouling agent and is offering the active substance under the registered trademark Selektope® to the global marine coating industry
Selektope® is an organic, non-metal compound with unique marine antifouling application. Its bio-repellent mode of action inhibits barnacle settlement on ships’ hulls by stimulating the barnacle larvae’s swimming behavior with reversible effect. It is characterized by high efficacy at extremely low concentrations in a marine coating (0.1% w/w), ultra-low leaching, and flexibility to boost copper-based paint formulations or replace copper completely. The product is used in a number of antifouling products offered by different paint manufacturers in the marine market.
I-Tech AB is a Gothenburg-based, privately held company that holds all IP and regulatory rights to the antifouling agent Selektope®. I-Tech’s mission is to bring new dimensions to the global antifouling industry by taking a bio-technology approach to biofouling control.
Cambrex Corporation is a life sciences company that provides products, services and technologies to accelerate the development and commercialization of small molecule therapeutics. The Company offers Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), advanced intermediates and enhanced drug delivery products for branded and generic pharmaceuticals.
The acquisition has been facilitated by the issuing of new shares, with Cambrex becoming a major shareholder in I-Tech AB. Cambrex will take a position on the board of directors. The move strengthens the continued development of the supply chain for Selektope on a global scale. It supports I-Tech’s plans to secure superior production capacity and to ensure commercially competitive prices for its customers and deliver high volume demands for Selektope.
Philip Chaabane, I-Tech CEO, comments: “This deal with Cambrex consolidates the supply chain for Selektope and brings important assets to I-Tech for continued development and improvement of processes and of the supply chain structure itself. We now have a unique competitive situation to fuel future growth. On the strategic side, I’m delighted to have the continued support from Cambrex on the board, and as an owner to build up our industrial platform moving forward”.
The agreement is subject to conditions and is expected to close in the nearest future.
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About I-Tech AB
I-Tech is a Gothenburg based bio-tech company with global reach, holding all IP and regulatory rights to the antifouling agent Selektope® (generic name, medetomidine). The company is privately held and is supported by Swedish Energy Association, the European Innovation Initiative Eco-Innovation and FP7 SeaFront. The company is a member of the Astra Zeneca BioVentureHub.
www.i-tech.se
About Selektope®
Selektope® introduces a unique, bio-repellent mode of action to combat barnacle settlement. By temporarily stimulating the octopamine receptor, the barnacle larvae’s swimming behavior is activated and the organisms are deterred from the hull. These groundbreaking discoveries enable unrivalled power at very low concentrations, yet within the limits of rigorous risk assessments. Selektope® is an organic, non-metal compound with efficacy proven at 0.1% w/w.
www.selektope.com
About Cambrex
Cambrex Corporation is an innovative life sciences company that provides products, services and technologies to accelerate the development and commercialization of small molecule therapeutics. The Company offers Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), advanced intermediates and enhanced drug delivery products for branded and generic pharmaceuticals. Development and manufacturing capabilities include enzymatic biotransformations, high potency APIs, high energy chemical synthesis and controlled substances.
www.cambrex.com
Contact details
Philip Chaabane, CEO
Email: Philip.Chaabane@i-tech.se
Tel: +46 (0) 73 910 37 08
