Agilent expands nucleic acid API capacity

US firm Agilent Technologies has announced the expansion of its nucleic acid active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing facility in Boulder, Colorado. Its Nucleic Acids Solutions Division is adding large-scale nucleic acid synthesis, purification and drying capacity that will come on stream by the end of 2008. As a part of this expansion, Agilent has purchased from Dowpharma all the assets of its nucleic acid medicines business, the financial terms of which were not disclosed. This is the second manufacturing expansion for the Boulder facility since Agilent purchased the business in 2006.

"This expansion represents a significant commitment by Agilent to meet the supply demands of a rapidly-expanding market," said James Powell, general manager of the Nucleic Acid Solutions Division. "Merging our expansion plans with the acquisition of Dow's assets will allow Agilent to respond to this demand well ahead of our original plan. Agilent will have the ability to serve customers from preclinical through large-scale commercial launch with facilities, equipment and expertise across a broad range of nucleic acid APIs," he added.