Midland, MI - March 21, 2007
The Dow Chemical Company today announced an alliance with Colorcon, Inc. for the global marketing, sales, technical service and development, and distribution of Dow pharmaceutical excipient products for use in controlled release applications. The agreement applies to select METHOCEL™ hypromellose polymers, ETHOCEL™ ethylcellulose polymers and POLYOX™ poly(ethylene) oxide resins.
This global strategic alliance amplifies both companies’ offerings to the pharmaceutical market by fusing Dow’s expertise in excipient technology with Colorcon’s leading position in drug dosage formulation. Controlled release excipients provide the benefits of consistent drug release over time. The collaboration between Dow and Colorcon will bring more technologically-advanced excipients to more drug manufacturers worldwide.
“The alliance between Dow and Colorcon is a natural outcome of a 28-year-old cooperation between the two companies and our answer to the global pharmaceutical industry’s demand for faster development and more efficient production of drug ingredients,” says Philip Pilnik, commercial director for Dow Pharmaceutical Excipients.
“By formally joining Dow’s expertise in polymer science and technology development with Colorcon’s global infrastructure, application development and customer service experience, we are able to create a more valuable – and easily accessible – resource for our pharmaceutical customers, who are increasingly global in their operations,” continues Pilnik.
Jim Coward, vice president and general manager for Colorcon Modified Release Technologies adds, “We see this global alliance as a natural progression for both companies in providing increased value to the pharmaceutical formulator. Our goal is to provide a full range of products, tools and services for modified release application in tablet, multi-particulate and osmotic formulations. By expanding our relationship with Dow we expect to accelerate our new product development efforts, as well as improve existing solutions for controlled release.”
As a result of the alliance, Dow and Colorcon expect to further develop the market for METHOCEL™, ETHOCEL™ and POLYOX™ resins for controlled release applications. Additionally, distribution of select METHOCEL™, ETHOCEL™ and POLYOX™ resins for the controlled release applications will be transitioned to Colorcon from Dow’s existing distributor network.
Conceived with the pharmaceutical customers in mind, this exclusive global alliance will facilitate all phases of choosing and sourcing excipients, from initial technology development through final commercialization and product delivery – all through a single contact point. “Dow’s current customers,” says Marty Kollmeyer, business director for METHOCEL™ polymers, “will benefit from a consistent and more valuable supply chain. Further, since the global alliance promotes the most efficient use of resources, we will be able to focus our efforts on building on our polymer science capabilities to accelerate innovation and speed-to-market – underscoring our commitment to provide the pharmaceutical market with tailored solutions.”
Bill Motzer, president and CEO of Colorcon, says “This alliance with Dow furthers Colorcon’s commitment to the global pharmaceutical industry. Our goal is to be an extension of our customers’ product development team, from formulation design to scale-up. We will continue investing in our key platforms and global infrastructure to meet our customers’ changing needs.”
About Colorcon
Colorcon is a world leader in the development, supply and support of formulated products for the pharmaceutical industry. Its core businesses include film coatings, modified release technologies, functional excipients and tablet design services. Colorcon has 17 technical service laboratories globally and more than 1100 employees exclusively dedicated to its pharmaceutical customer base. For further information, visit www.colorcon.com.
About Dow Pharmaceutical Excipients
Dow Pharmaceutical Excipients provides innovative excipient solutions through science and polymer technology. Our multi-functional excipients – METHOCEL™ and ETHOCEL™ cellulose ethers and POLYOX™ poly(ethylene) oxide resins – have been used in pharmaceutical formulations for more than 40 years including applications such as controlled release, tablet coating, hot melt extrusion and granulation. For further information, visit www.dowexcipients.com.
About The Dow Chemical Company
®™* Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") or an affiliated company of Dow
For Editorial Information:
Michael Altmann
The Dow Chemical Company
(732) 563-5088
Tracey Spinks
Colorcon, Inc.
+44 (0) 1322 627274
tspinks@colorcon.co.uk
Urszula Murphy
Gibbs & Soell PR
(212) 697-2600 ext. 296
umurphy@gibbs-soell.com
