SAFC, the custom manufacturing and services business unit of Sigma-Aldrich Corporation, is expanding its line of PharmaGrade products with the addition of 20 raw materials for biopharmaceutical manufacturing. The PharmaGrade portfolio of high quality buffers, amino acids and specialty chemicals is expected to double in size by the end of 2013.

As the premier product line within SAFC's critical raw material offering, PharmaGrade addresses the need for greater supply chain transparency and enhanced quality for biopharmaceutical manufacturing applications. Products in the PharmaGrade portfolio are provided with full documentation of manufacturing history, are compliant with either GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standards or the SAFC Elite Quality grade standards, and are quality assurance reviewed and released. PharmaGrade products also include applicable change control notification and a dedicated product support team.

Since its launch in early 2012, the PharmaGrade programme began with more than 30 products and has continued to steadily grow. Sigma-Aldrich's acquisition of Research Organics, Inc. in April 2012 contributed significantly to the program's resources and capabilities to further support the increasing market demand for new PharmaGrade materials. SAFC expects the PharmaGrade portfolio to grow to 80 raw materials with the addition of 20 new products available at the end of March 2013.

"The introduction of the PharmaGrade portfolio was designed to meet the growing need for greater transparency for raw materials. The initiative has been extremely well received by our customers and has resulted in tremendous demand for the portfolio," stated Deb Slagle, vice president of marketing and research development at SAFC. "The acquisition of Research Organics has accelerated our ability to add products more rapidly and significantly contributed to the overall success of the portfolio."

"PharmaGrade is a clear reflection of our drive to offer quality products in tandem with exceptional customer support," added Gilles Cottier, president of SAFC. "We felt that by listening to our customers and offering a level of products they need with the support they need, we would be able to enhance the quality of solutions we can offer to the market. We continue to apply all feedback to the further development of the line, and will continue to expand the PharmaGrade portfolio in a strategic manner."

Sigma-Aldrich is a leading Life Science and High Technology company whose biochemical, organic chemical products, kits and services are used in scientific research, including genomic and proteomic research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, the diagnosis of disease and as key components in pharmaceutical, diagnostics and high technology SAFC manufacturing.