Novozymes takes over BioGaia unit

Denmark's Novozymes will take its first step into the pharmaceuticalfield when it expects to take over all the activities of BioGaia Fermentation, now part of Sweden's BioGaia AB, in the summer of 2002.

The business is based in Lund, Sweden, and researches, produces and sells proteins for the pharmaceutical industry. BioGaia Fermentation generated turnover of 30 million Danish kroner ($3.8 million) in 2001 and employs 51 people. In 2001, it entered into a long-term contract with Amersham Biosciences on the supply of proteins for use as raw materials in pharmaceutical production. BioGaia Fermentation also has a number of smaller customers.

The acquisition will broaden Novozymes' areas of expertise, says Novozymes' chief executive Steen Riisgaard, adding: "we will be gaining not only a European current Good Manufacturing Practices-certified production plant but also an established customer base. Last, but not least, we will be getting a team of highly-qualified employees with expertise in this attractive area."