Novozymes to form independent company called Albumedix

Novozymes announced this week that it will separate its biopharma activities to form an independent company.

The new company will be called Albumedix and will be owned, in full, by Novozymes. Albumedix will take over the production of albumin-based products and technologies.

The company's success working with albumin over the past decade has led to the development of new technologies and deals with major pharmaceutical companies. The growth of this field has led Novozymes to create the independent company that will focus solely on albumin to generate further growth.

Albumin is a protein that is produced naturally by human blood. The protein is used to stabilize drugs and vaccines. Merck has used Albumedix products to combat measles, mumps, rubella and chicken pox in millions of children worldwide. It has also been proven that albumin can extend the half-life of medicines to prolong the effectiveness of drugs.

Peter Rosholm has been named the CEO of Albumedix. Before the appointment he was at the helm of Novozymes’ biopharma business. Albumedix’s leadership will report to a board made up of three independent directors, all of whom worked in the pharmaceutical industry, and two representatives from Novozymes.