MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE USE
Strategic partnership sees New Zealand biotech innovation go global
Cawthron Institute has today announced a global distribution agreement with international analytical and chemical
company Sigma-Aldrich Corporation, to supply Cawthron’s unique, high-value marine biotoxins to laboratories worldwide.
“This is an exciting new development and an excellent outcome for our highly-regarded marine toxin and food safety
research,” says Cawthron Institute Chief Executive, Professor Charles Eason.
“The partnership adds a new suite of products to Sigma-Aldrich’s catalogue, supports laboratories worldwide to improve
identification of human health risks from algae, and generates high-value exports for New Zealand.”
The marine biotoxins are used by laboratories worldwide as reference materials when testing for algal toxins in seafood.
Cawthron produces the toxins using a highly-sophisticated process developed at the Institute, involving extracting,
isolating and purifying the bioactive compounds from toxin-producing microalgae that are grown and processed on site.
“Cawthron is one of just a handful of organisations worldwide with the capability to produce these rare, naturally
occurring marine biotoxins and bring them to market,” Professor Eason says. “These are very high-value manufactured
exports for niche markets.”
The equivalent of a teaspoon of these marine biotoxins is valued at over NZ $100,000, “…but it is a very small, niche
market and they are sold in minute (microgram or milligram) quantities.”
The new agreement will see Cawthron and Sigma-Aldrich work together to develop a new product range and extend
availability of the marine toxins through the global Sigma-Aldrich distribution network. It will be the first time such
toxins have been included in the Sigma-Aldrich catalogue.
Cawthron has more than 30 years’ experience with microalgae and has unique expertise in extraction of natural compounds
from algae. In 2000, it developed the first instrumental test method for marine toxins in seafood – replacing the
existing mouse-based test. The new method has been adopted by laboratories worldwide and is now the standard for
detecting marine toxins in seafood.
“The instrumental method requires calibration using purified marine toxins, which we produce,” says Cawthron Institute’s
Analytical Services Technical Manager Dr Paul McNabb. “We identified an opportunity to work with Sigma-Aldrich to
produce and provide these toxins on a global scale, and they were very supportive, acknowledging our leadership and
expertise in this area, and were keen to respond to the growing demand for these products.”
"This agreement will enable scientists around the world to more easily access the toxins that are critical for
monitoring seafood safety. Working together with Sigma-Aldrich, we can develop new products to meet the needs of a
global customer base and help provide greater certainty to consumers that their seafood is safe to eat.”
Sigma-Aldrich Global Director Strategic Business Development (Analytical) Dr Fabian Wahl says, "This agreement
strengthens our long-standing relationship with Cawthron Institute and provides broader access to essential Certified
Reference Materials needed by ISO 17025 accredited laboratories.”
"Using Certified Reference Materials eliminates potential analytical variables, which ultimately increases confidence in
analytical data and could lead to a reduction in time and expense for analysts. In addition, our web-based marketplace
offers convenient access to a comprehensive range of products for the entire analytical workflow.”
About Sigma-Aldrich Corporation
Sigma-Aldrich is a leading life science and high technology company whose biochemical organic chemical products, kits
and services are used in scientific research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development and the diagnosis of disease.
Their products and services are also key components in pharmaceutical, diagnostics and high technology manufacturing. A
NASDAQ-listed company, Sigma-Aldrich customers include more than 1.3 million scientists and technologists in life
science companies, university and government institutions, hospitals and industry. The Corporation operates in 35
countries and has nearly 9,000 employees.
About Cawthron Institute
Cawthron is New Zealand’s largest independent science organisation, specialising in research that protects the
environment and supports sustainable development of primary industries. It is a world-leader in microalgae and algal
technologies particularly in harmful algal blooms and extraction of high value compounds from algae.
Cawthron works alongside a number of New Zealand biotechnology companies and its expertise is helping keep New Zealand
at the forefront of the global biotechnology industry. It made a significant investment in developing its capability in
algal technologies over the past decade, including in technology, staffing and new research. In 2011, Cawthron launched
Cawthron Natural Compounds, an initiative focused on extracting minute amounts of complex organic compounds sourced from
algae and selling them to international markets.
ENDS