Corbion & MedinCell Form Strategic Joint Venture

The joint venture, CM Biomaterials, will sell the PEG / PLA co-polymers to MedinCell partners who license the MedinCell technology (BEPO). Manufacturing of the polymers will take place in Corbion’s medical biomaterials plants in the US and the Netherlands, while development and licensing of the technology remain the exclusive responsibility of MedinCell. CM Biomaterials will be established in the Netherands.

“Corbion and MedinCell have been in a joint development program since 2010, to optimize the manufacturing of PEG/PLA polymers for drug delivery,” said Marco Bootz, SVP Biochemicals, Corbion. “This cooperation has now successfully developed into a joint venture for the supply of PEG/PLA polymers. In this joint venture, Corbion will be responsible for manufacturing the polymers, and with our complementary expertise in the field of polymers, we will together develop the optimal polymers for MedinCell’s applications. Corbion is the global leader in the field of resorbable polymers for drug delivery and medical devices. This new technology will further enhance our position in medical biomaterials”.

“The creation of CM Biomaterials validates our balanced network company model that aims to gather leaders in many fields to create best-in-class medicines for Global Health,” added Christophe Douat, CEO of MedinCell. “Based on a complementary partnership, CM Biomaterials will best serve BEPO partners and secure the quality of the polymers used for all BEPO applications.”

Based on a combination of co-polymers, solvent, and API, the BEPO technology can provide a controlled release of drug for days, weeks, or months from a fully biodegradable depot that forms after subcutaneous injection or local delivery of the formulated API. As a game-changing technology, BEPO combines many advantages compared to alternative drug delivery technologies, including improved patient compliance, efficacy, and tolerability, as well as versatility, development speed, and lower manufacturing costs.

Corbion is the global market leader in lactic acid, lactic acid derivatives, and lactides, and a leading company in functional blends containing enzymes, emulsifiers, minerals, and vitamins. The company delivers high-performance bio-based products made from renewable resources and applied in global markets such as bakery, meat, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, home and personal care, packaging, automotive, coatings, and adhesives. Its products have a differentiating functionality in all kinds of consumer products worldwide. For more information, visit www.corbion.com.

Every day, the MedinCell team acts for Global Health by developing innovative technologies that improve worldwide access to medicine and enable better treatment quality for all. MedinCell and its network of partners is developing the next generation of best-in-class medicines that combine low manufacturing cost with efficiency and compliance-related benefits. MedinCell is a self-funded and employee-owned entity running both commercial and non-profit activities.
For more information, visit www.medincell.com.