Strategic partnership sees NZ biotech innovation go global

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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

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