Sandoz Cefalosporin-Antibiotics Production Plant, Germany

Biochemie (now Sandoz) has invested DM85 million ($41 million) in a new Frankfurt production plant which will become the leading manufacturer of a key component for cefalosporin-antibiotics. The new plant at the Industrial Park Frankfurt-Hochst produces the key component for cephalosporin-antibiotics, one of today's most important treatments of bacterial infections. The component, an intermediate known as 7-aminocephalosporanic acid, or 7-ACA, will be produced at the new plant by an enzymatic process in quantities exceeding 400 tonnes/year.

In the new facility, planned by Life Sciences Meissner+Wurst GmbH (LSMW), 7-ACA (7-Amino-Cefalosporan-Acid) will be produced through an enzymatic splitting and cleaning process. This new improved process produces high quality 7-ACA, while reducing costs at the same time.

The new plant will become operational at the end of 2000 and its output will complement the current production in Frankfurt and Kundl, and make Biochemie the leader in the field in terms of both capacity and quality.

Biochemie is part of Novartis, a world leading manufacturer of antibiotics including penicillins and cephalosporins, and biotechnological active ingredients. The company has become a fully integrated supplier of a broad range of cefalosporin products, has developed and manufactured advanced cefalosporin intermediates and owns a number of process patents for cutting-edge technology. Its recently commissioned facility in Kundl produces both bulk active and finished dosage forms of sterile cefalosporins.

Biochemie currently supplies 25% of global demand for the intermediate 7-ACA. The company also plans to produce finished dosage forms of cephalosporin products. Demand for 7-ACA rose by 9% in 1999, due to increased consumption for the production of several cephalosporins for which patents are expiring, and increased demand from China. Demand is expected to reach 2,000 tonnes/year by the year 2000.

CEPHALOSPORIN-ANTIBIOTICS PLANT

LSMW, Stuttgart, a 50:50 joint venture of Jenoptik's subsidiary M+W Zander, Stuttgart/Nurnberg, and Day & Zimmermann International, Inc. (US), was awarded the contract to design and commission the Frankfurt plant. The contract includes the design, management of works, validation and procurement of equipment.