Croda buys vaccine adjuvant specialist for €70m

Chemicals group Croda International has wrapped up a deal to buy Denmark-based vaccine adjuvant specialist Brenntag Biosector for €72m.

Biosector, which is expected to be folded into the group by the end of the year, specialises in innovative aluminium and saponin-based adjuvants. Such adjuvants are widely used to increase their effectiveness of human and veterinary vaccines.

Croda said aluminium-based also provide a platform to introduce new technically advanced saponin-based adjuvants, with the addition of vaccine adjuvants being "a natural extension" to Croda's excipient delivery systems in its Health Care business.

"Biosector is a rare asset, in a high value, fast growing sector of the global pharmaceutical market," said Croda boss Steve Foots.

"With an experienced high-quality team, Biosector brings world-class protected technologies and industry-leading manufacturing facilities. Furthermore, the strong cultural alignment between Biosector and Croda enhances our highly technical-based sales approach and emphasis on value over volume."

He added that adjuvants represent a niche, high-growth market, driven by increased healthcare spending alongside advances in biotechnology and the growing need for preventative treatments.