However, many such products irritatedry and sensitive skin types.Laboratoires Serobiologiques (LS),the active ingredients business ofCognis Care Chemicals, hastherefore recently launchedSphingosomes Moist, a next-generation micellar solution. Thisinnovative no-rinse cleanser bringsstate-of-the-art cleansingperformance to mild formulations, andadditionally helps restore the skin’sprotective barrier. This givesmanufacturers the opportunity tomeet the increasing consumerdemand for skin purifiers with optimalcleansing efficacy that also respectthe skin balance and tolerance. Ourskin is under attack from all sides,from an increasingly pollutedenvironment to harsh cleansingproducts. However, micellar solutionsare successfully meeting the demandfor milder cleansing products. Thesecleansers do not contain aggressivesurfactants that can dry out the skin,and therefore do not adversely affectits hydration and lipid levels. Insteadthey develop micelles of mild,nonionic, biocompatible solubilizers orsurfactants that can microemulsify dirtand make-up. In addition,Sphingosomes Moist containsbiomimetic lipophilic and hydrophilicactive ingredients that are similar tothe naturally occurring substances inthe skin that play a key role inkeeping it optimally moisturized. Thuswith this new product, LS is offeringmanufacturers the next generation ofmicellar solutions, allowing them toformulate mild cleansers that havethe decisive advantage of additionallymoisturizing the skin andstrengthening its protective barrier.Because it contains two low-weight,hydro-retaining molecule types in itsNatural Moisturizing Factor (NMF)together with natural phospholipidsanalogous to epidermic lipids,Sphingosomes Moist offers thefunctionality of oil with the freshnessof water. As a result, productscontaining the new product wouldensure excellent skin tolerance, whilecombining the caring properties andcleansing efficacy of an emulsion in alightweight, crystal-clear formulation.The new active makes it possible todevelop various types of formulations:from crystal-clear, no-rinse cleansingsolutions, including mild micellarcleansers and make-up removers, to

daily skincare products such asmoisturizing face sprays, toners orserums.

Press release from: Cognis GmbH, Postfach 130164,D-40551, Düsseldorf, Germany, website:http://www.cognis.com (23 Oct 2009)

Wipro Consumer buys Yardley as itspremium brand

India’s Wipro Consumer Care andLighting has acquired the iconicYardley brand in the Asian,Australasian, North and West Africanmarkets from the UK-basedLornamead Group for nearly Rup2.14 bn (c €32.6 M). The brand willbe Wipro Consumer’s top premiumbrand. The 239-year old Yardleybrand consists of fragrances, talcumpowder, perfumes and soaps. Wiproplans to extend the brand todeodorants, body washes, shavingcreams and aftershave lotions. Thecompany expects its annual revenuesto increase to Rup 1.41 bn from Rup700 M at present as a result of theYardley acquisition. Wipro plans tofocus on Yardley in the Indian marketby taking it to all its retail outlets.

Business Line, 6 Nov 2009, 16 (306), 1

Health

Discovery Labs provides business andpipeline development update

Discovery Laboratories Inc isdeveloping its proprietary KL4surfactant technology platform topotentially significantly improve themedical outcomes of patients, frompremature infants to adults, sufferingdebilitating respiratory diseases andconditions. The company’s chairmanand interim CEO commented thattheir most advanced pipelineprogrammes, Surfaxin, Surfaxin LSand Aerosurf, have the potential togreatly improve the management ofrespiratory distress syndrome (RDS)and represent the opportunity, overtime, to expand the current RDSestimated global annual market of$200 M to a $1 bn opportunity.

According to Discovery Labs, itsfirst KL4 surfactant product candidate,Surfaxin (lucinactant), hasdemonstrated clinically meaningfulsurvival and morbidity-lesseningadvantages versus comparatorsurfactants. The company

participated in a 29 Sep 2009meeting with the FDA to discuss thekey remaining issue that must beaddressed to potentially gain USmarketing approval of Surfaxin for theprevention of RDS in prematureinfants, as well as Discovery’s plansregarding optimization and finalmethod validation of its foetal rabbitBiological Activity Test (BAT) and aproposed limited clinical trial. The trialwould be designed to primarilyassess a pharmacodynamic (PD)response following Surfaxinadministration in preterm infantsdiagnosed with RDS. The FDA hasindicated that a PD-based approachis consistent with its expectation for alimited clinical trial and also provideddirection regarding trial designspecifics. The final protocol andclinical trial design is subject to FDAreview and comment; Discoveryexpects to receive the FDAcomments early in 1Q 2010. At thattime, it will be in a position to estimatethe expected costs and duration ofthe potential limited clinical trial andmake a strategic assessment, withexisting and potential new partners,regarding any investment. RegardingSurfaxin LS, a lyophilized formulationof KL4 surfactant, Discovery Labs isplanning to meet with US andEuropean regulatory authorities topresent a development programmeentailing the conduct of a singlePhase III clinical trial for globalregistration. The firm intends toinitiate this programme upon securingappropriate strategic alliances andnecessary capital. Aerosurf holds thepromise to significantly expand theuse of KL4 surfactant therapy byproviding neonatologists with a novelmeans of administering surfactantwithout invasive endotrachealintubation and mechanical ventilation.

Discovery Labs has met with andreceived guidance from the FDA withrespect to the design of its plannedPhase II clinical programme usingAerosurf for RDS. The company isalso conducting a Phase II clinicaltrial to determine whether Surfaxinimproves lung function and reducesduration and related risk-exposure ofmechanical ventilation in children upto two years of age diagnosed withacute respiratory failure. Also,aerosolized KL4 surfactant is beingevaluated in an investigator-initiatedPhase IIa clinical trial in cystic fibrosis

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patients. The trial is funded primarilythrough a grant provided by theCystic Fibrosis Foundation. Theresults from this trial are anticipated in1H 2010.

Press releases from: Discovery Laboratories Inc,2600 Kelly Road, Suite 100, Warrington, PA 18976-3622, USA, tel: +1 215 488 9300, fax: +1 215 4889301, e-mail: ir@discoverylabs.com, website:http://www.discoverylabs.com) (4 & 17 Nov 2009)

Other

Cleaning products firm’s Penang plantoperational

Kyzen has commenced operations atits fourth facility in Penang, which willmanufacture green cleaningdetergent products. The company hasinvested Ringgit 1 M (€0.21 M) for the1300 sq m facility, which will operateunder its Kyzen Sdn Bhd unit. Thenew plant will immediately startsupplying green cleaning detergentsto electronics and semiconductorsector companies in Malaysia andother parts of South-East Asia, and toclients in Singapore and Indonesia bythe end of 2009. The company thenintends to expand operations to caterto markets in Thailand, Vietnam andthe Philippines by 1H 2010. Kyzen isa leading provider of environment-friendly cleaning products for high-tech manufacturing plants.

The Star, 2 Nov 2009, (Website:http://www.thestar.com.my)

Firms preparing to dig deeper tosupply global oil needs

The growing population andincreasingly limited access to ‘easyoil’ will drive demand for enhanced oilrecovery (EOR) chemicals, accordingto producers. Market research firmFreedonia estimates the US EORmarket to expand 7.4%/y through2013 from the 2008 level of $430 M.Shell Chemicals and SNF Group areamong those positioning themselvesto benefit from this expected uptrend.Shell is conducting more R&D studieson water-based plus surfactant EORactivities while SNF plans to invest$362 M in a 250,000 tonne/ypolyacrylamide powder plant inPlaquemine, LA, USA.

Chemical Week, 2 Nov 2009, (Website:http://www.chemweek.com)

New additive provides high-performance coatings withoutcompromise

Dow Corning has introduced aninnovative performance-enhancingadditive that brings excellent abrasionresistance, levelling and slip to clearand pigmented paints, coatings andinks without generating excessivefoam or compromising the gloss orclarity of the finished coating. Thenew Dow Corning 55N additive hasalso been found to improve coatinghardness and recoatability in certainwater-based coating applications.Dow Corning 55N additive reducesCoF without the poor recoatability,gloss reduction and foamingproblems commonly associated withCoF-reducing additives. A reactivesilicone glycol surfactant with carbinolfunctionality, Dow Corning 55Nadditive is designed for use in paints,coatings and inks for wood, metal andplastic. It performs well in water-based, solvent-based and UV-curablesystems and is compatible with awide range of resins, including alkyd,acrylic, epoxy and polyurethane.

Press release from: Dow Corning Corp, PO Box 994,Midland, MI 48686-0994, USA, tel: +1 989 496 4400,fax: +1 989 496 6731, website:http://www.dowcorning.com (5 Oct 2009)

Behaviour modification could easeconcerns about nanoparticles

In an advance that could help easehealth and environmental concernsabout the emerging nanotechnologyindustry, scientists are reportingdevelopment of technology forchanging the behaviour ofnanoparticles in municipal sewagetreatment plants – their main gatewayinto the environment. Their study wasscheduled to be published online inNov 2009 in the ACS’ journalEnvironmental Science & Technology.Manufacturers use 2 M tons ofnanoparticles each year in foods,cosmetics, medicines and otherconsumer products. Studies havehinted that some nanoparticles couldhave adverse environmental healtheffects. Scientists thus are focusingon how nanoparticles behave inwastewater and how that gatewaymight be closed off. The studysimulated (primary) sewage treatmentto show that coating silica

nanoparticles with a detergent-likematerial made the nanoparticlesclump together into the solid residuetermed sewage sludge. Sludge isoften stored in landfills or recycled asagricultural fertilizer. Uncoatednanoparticles, in contrast, stayed inthe water and therefore remained inthe effluent stream. As thenanoparticles are simply too small tobe visualized optically, the team usedneutron scattering (at the UK’s ISISFacility) to view the sewage at thenanoscale. The neutrons easilypenetrate the sewage ‘soup’ andscatter strongly from thenanoparticles, allowing theiraggregation behaviour to be followedwith time. The study demonstratesthe potential for coating or otherwisechanging the surface chemistry ofnanoparticles to re-route their journeythrough sewage treatment plants, thescientists say.

Nanite News, 14 Nov 2009, (Website:http://www.nanitenews.com)

MARKETREVIEWS

Strategic analysis of the home andfabric care specialty ingredientsmarkets in Europe (Ref: M382)

The market for speciality ingredientsin home and fabric care formulationsremains dynamic, fuelled by the needto minimize risks from bacteria andgerms, to reduce the time and effortrequired for household chores, and tofurther improve the quality of life whileaddressing the environmentalconcerns of consumers. New analysisfrom Frost & Sullivan, StrategicAnalysis of the Home and FabricCare Specialty Ingredients Markets inEurope, shows that this marketgenerated €615.8 M in revenues in2008 and estimates it to reach €706.2M in 2015. The following segmentsare covered in this research:speciality surfactants, functionalpolymers, fabric enhancers, activeingredients and rheology modifiers inhome and fabric care formulations aswell as hard surface cleaners, carinterior and upholstery cleaners,furniture, shoe & leather polishes, anddishwashing products. Speciality

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