New facility in Italy for production of cytotoxic actives

Published: 3-Jul-2007

A new facility that will semi synthesise Paclitaxel has been opened by Indena at its main factory in Settala, near Milan, Italy.


A new facility that will semi synthesise Paclitaxel has been opened by Indena at its main factory in Settala, near Milan, Italy.

The semisynthetic active ingredient will be marketed alongside the natural Paclitaxel, a well-known anti-tumour agent.

Commercial director Daniele Giavini said: "This new high-containment plant would help Indena strengthen its position as world leader in the production and semisynthesis of taxanes."

Semisynthetic Paclitaxel is obtained using a specific process patented by Indena based on the 10-deacetylbaccatin, a molecule extracted from yew trees (Taxus baccata) cultivated in the company's own plantations. The compound acts as an intermediate for the production of various anti-tumour molecules, such as Paclitaxel, Docetaxel and others on which the company is still experimenting.

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