GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has entered an agreement to acquire Domantis Ltd., an antibody therapy developer, for $451 million in cash. The acquisition expands GSK's biopharmaceuticals portfolio of antibody technology.

Domantis, a privately-held British company, will become part of GSK's Biopharmaceuticals Centre of Excellence for Drug Discovery (CEDD) but will continue to operate from its labs in Cambridge. Domantis' current research programs include antibody therapies for rheumatoid arthritis and asthma. The acquisition is expected to complete in January.

"Domantis has pioneered the extension of antibody therapies to potentially far wider applications than has been possible with conventional monoclonal antibodies," said Mike Owen, senior vice president, Biopharmaceuticals CEDD, GSK. "Its talent and world-leading technology will complement the work we are already taking forward in the CEDD to put GSK at the forefront of biotechnology."

Robert Connelly, Domantis founding chief executive officer, said, "The agreement with GSK allows us to embed our R&D organization intact within a company committed to fully exploiting the potential therapeutic applications of our technology. I am delighted that GSK has made this major investment in our technology, our people, and our product pipeline."

The Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Association (SOCMA) named the winners of its 2006 Performance Improvement Awards, recognizing manufacturing facilities that demonstrate outstanding commitment to continuous improvement in environmental, health, safety and security (EHS&S). The awards will be given out at SOCMA's Annual Dinner on December 11, 2006.

SOCMA will honor the following three facilities with the Excellence Award: ISOCHEM, Inc., Lockport, NY, SACHEM, Inc., Cleburne, TX, and BASF Corp., Spartanburg, DC.

"On behalf of all SOCMA members, I thank these companies for their commitment to improved EHS&S performance and active engagement with their communities," said SOCMA president and chief executive officer, Joe Acker. "These companies set a high example for the industry and deserve to be commended."

A total of 42 SOCMA member facilities will be given the Achievement Award, which goes to facilities maintaining strong EHS&S programs. The names of these facilities can be found on SOCMA’s website at www.socma.org. Both awards promote continuous improvement in the areas of pollution prevention, process safety, employee health product stewardship, community awareness, and emergency response. The awards are sponsored by SOCMA’s ChemStewards program. 

Cambridge Antibody Technology (CAT) has promoted three individuals to the management position of vice president. Gaynor Fryers has been named vice president, business development and will be responsible for managing the company's business development activities. Ms. Fryers joined the company in 2004, and prior to her promotion, held the position of business development director. Before joining CAT, she worked as group commercial director at Bespak and held a number of business and commercial roles at Bio Products Laboratory (BPL).

Ian Anderson will serve as vice president, discovery - respiratory and inflammation. He will lead the respiratory and inflammation team within CAT's drug discovery department. Mr. Anderson joined the company in 1998 to establish the pharmacology group and previously worked at Glaxo Wellcome in a number of roles within the pharmacology and neuroscience departments.

Andy Williams, named vice president, discovery - program management, will lead the program management team within CAT's drug discovery department. He joined the company in 1993, following a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, and has led a number of CAT's drug discovery and technology development projects.

Hamish Cameron, chief executive officer at CAT, commented, "CAT's progression as a world-leading biopharmaceutical company is underpinned by the knowledge and expertise of our exceptional staff. These key promotions will strengthen and broaden the capabilities and experience of our team and we are delighted to recognize the expertise of these three individuals and their contribution to CAT's ongoing success."