Sheffield Bio-Science and Wockhardt Announce Worldwide Exclusive Partnership to Supply Recombinant Insulin to Cell Culture Market

BELOIT, Wis., Feb. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Sheffield Bio-Science, a Kerry Group Business, has formed a strategic global sales, marketing and development alliance with Wockhardt Ltd. Under this partnership, Sheffield Bio-Science will be the Exclusive Global Sales and Distribution Partner for recombinant insulin manufactured by global Indian biotech Wockhardt. According to estimates, the potential in cell culture markets is around US$ 50 million.

Speaking on this landmark alliance, Dr. Habil Khorakiwala, Chairman, Wockhardt Group stated, "This partnership is a reaffirmation of Wockhardt's biotechnology research prowess and a confluence of innovative novel technology now being offered to global cell culture markets."

Sheffield's Director of Global Business Development, Hans Huttinga, stated, "We are looking forward to developing a strong and lasting partnership between our organizations."

Wockhardt was the first in Asia and only the fourth company in the world to have developed, manufactured and marketed Wosulin – recombinant insulin injectables. Wockhardt's state-of-the-art Biotech Park in Aurangabad has six dedicated manufacturing facilities and was inaugurated by the then President of India, His Excellency, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.

"This strategic alliance marks another step in our continued investment to strengthen our cell culture media supplement portfolio," said Edmond Scanlon, President of Sheffield Bio-Science.

Sheffield Bio-Science continues its evolution to deliver a complete novel technology platform to the global cell culture market. Customers will now have greater access to the industry's most innovative and extensive cell culture media ingredient-technologies, including recombinant proteins, chemically defined metabolic enhancers, hydrolyzed proteins, and yeast extracts. Such high quality solutions make it easier for biopharmaceutical manufacturers to delay apoptosis and maximize product yields.

About Sheffield Bio-Science:

Sheffield Bio-Science, part of Kerry Group, is a leader in innovation and applications of cell nutrition and excipients. With products ranging from media ingredients used in biotechnological production systems, to lactose, coatings and tabletting systems, Sheffield Bio-Science applies its applications expertise to deliver integrated solutions that meet unique customer challenges.

About Wockhardt:

Wockhardt is a high technology global pharmaceuticals and biotechnology major with innovative multi-disciplinary research and development programmes. It has 5 research centres and 21 world-class manufacturing plants in India, USA, UK, France and Ireland. Wockhardt has a multi-ethnic workforce of over 6500 from 14 different nationalities.

SOURCE Sheffield Bio-Science, a Kerry Group Business