Compiled by Steve Smith
Production and packaging pact
BOLOGNA, Germany—IMA (www.ima.it), an international designer and manufacturer of automatic machines for pharmaceutical products, will acquire a majority of the shares in Delaware-based Packaging Systems Holding LLC, which holds 100 percent of Nova Packaging Systems LLC—a leader in the manufacture of automatic machines for bottling pharmaceutical capsules and tablets. The bottle-filling capabilities complement IMA's existing blister packaging lines and give the company its first U.S. manufacturing facilities.
e-FoodSafety.com e-mbarks on e-xpansion
PALM SPRINGS, Calif.—Food safety innovator e-FoodSafety.com is leasing an 84,000-square-foot office, production, research and distribution facility here, with plans of using the entire space as a test pilot plant for food sanitization of fresh fruits and vegetables, and to establish truck-washing facilities. It's expected that the expansion will create up to 400 new jobs.
Decision deploys disinfectant
PETALUMA, Calif.—Microcyn, a hospital-grade disinfectant cleaner and food contact sanitizer for use on hard, inanimate surfaces, has received EPA approval for marketing in the U.S. Oculus Innovative Sciences' (www.oculusis.com) technology uses a multi-chamber electrolysis process in which ionic species are selectively produced and isolated, allowing for the production of a stable and pH-neutral solution while minimizing the level of chlorine in the final product.
Advanced assay acquisitions
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.—Cambrex Bio Science Walkersville, Inc. (www.cambrex.com) has signed a licensing agreement with Johns Hopkins University for access to two of its quantitative assay technologies—MGB Eclipse and Genolife—for the detection of pathogens in drugs, beverages, and food. The technologies will be used to develop products and services for use in microbial testing of drugs, vaccines, biopharmaceuticals, cell therapeutics, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and food.
Canvassing carcass contamination
SEBASTIAN, Fla.—Beef processor Excel (Fort Morgan, Colo.) has installed its third unit of the VerifEYE Carcass Inspection System (CIS), developed by eMerge Interactive Inc. (www.emergeinteractive.com) for detecting organic contamination in beef cattle. The technology provides automated inspection of beef carcasses at line speeds of up to 450 per hour, and can instantly detect microscopic traces of such pathogens as E coli and salmonella. The automated inspection system is also designed to provide beef processors with trend and performance data to help refine processes and improve carcass quality.
Fungus-free formulas
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—Mycosol (www.mycosol.com), the research and chemical development partner of Veridien Corp. (www.veridien.com), has begun the testing processes necessary for EPA approval of two proprietary anti-mold compounds. According to the company, preliminary testing demonstrated excellent results in preventing mold growth on building materials, HVAC systems, and other surfaces. The anti-mold agents are said to be non-water soluble and non-volatile. Safety and efficacy testing is expected to be completed within two years.