The Dow Chemical Company has recently 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,"

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 Dow's 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".