Chromatide and Novasep have extended their partnership to develop large scale solid phase peptide and oligonucleotide synthesis technology. The resulting systems and equipment will meet the growing needs of biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries for more efficient, continuous flow instruments for gram to industrial scale production of high quality products.

The interest of this partnership is to combine Chromatide's experience in solid phase synthesis of peptide and oligonucleotides, including the production of novel resins and instrumentation, to Novasep' s expertise in synthesis and purification services and technologies in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries to provide them with efficient solutions to obtain pure peptides and oligonucleotides.

Commenting on the announcement, Dr Don Wellings, Chromatide's CSO, said, "We are delighted to be continuing to work with Novasep on this project," He added, "The extension of our collaboration is illustrative of the success we have achieved to date on developing the synthesis systems which Novasep is launching in 2008. Novasep is a world leader in the market with well established relationships within the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors which will enable users' rapid access to the technology we are co-developing".

Jean Blehaut, president of Novasep Process Pharma Business Unit added, "The Chromatide team has many years experience in peptide and oligonucleotide synthesis and has excellent contacts with key thought leaders in this field and Novasep is the recognised leader of large scale chromatography for the life-sciences industries. Peptide manufacturers lack a cost efficient, automated solid phase synthesis technology, fully scalable from g to ton. We believe that these innovative systems combined with our chromatography and membrane technology portfolio will allow us to provide a unique, global process solution for peptides but also for oligonucleotides manufacturers".