FMC Corporation buys Pronova

US company FMC BioPolymer, a producer of naturally-derived polymers, has acquired the business of Nowegian company Pronova Biomedical, a leading supplier of ultra-pure alginates and chitosans to the pharmaceutical and medical materials markets, from a subsidiary of Norsk Hydro.

The acquisition complements FMC BioPolymer's current alginate and carrageenan businesses, while also taking the company closer to its goal of offering specialised, formulated ingredients to the rapidly growing biotechnology, medical device and medical materials industries.

FMC's proprietary technology is used in the novel delivery of vaccines and other drug therapies via injection, implantation of encapsulated cells and intranasal delivery. Biotechnology companies are using these ingredients in products currently in various phases of development and commercialisation.

David Simcox, general manager of FMC BioPolymer's pharmaceutical division, said the acquisition would extend the company's upstream alginate capabilities. The business will be managed from Norway by Arne Dessen, managing director of both FMC's Norwegian and pharmaceutical alginate operations. 'This acquisition, combined with our current manufacturing assets in Norway, will allow FMC to provide customers with a catalogue of specialized, high purity biopolymers,' he said.