Brenntag and dsm-firmenich have agreed a global distribution partnership covering eight GMP-grade vitamins for biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

The long-term agreement gives Brenntag exclusive distribution rights for dsm-firmenich’s biopharma vitamin portfolio across North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia-Pacific.

The products will be supplied under Brenntag’s BYPHAR powered by Biond brand and are intended for use in cell culture media, feed media and upstream bioprocessing.

Eight vitamins for biopharmaceutical manufacturing

The portfolio includes eight Biond vitamin products: niacinamide (B3), folic acid (B9), cyanocobalamin (B12), D-panthenol (B5), thiamine hydrochloride (B1), riboflavin-5′-phosphate (B2), pyridoxine hydrochloride (B6) and D-biotin (B7).

The companies said the products are manufactured to GMP quality standards and comply with multiple pharmacopoeias. They will be available in different pack sizes to support applications ranging from research and development through to commercial-scale production.

The vitamins are designed for use in upstream bioprocessing, including cell culture and feed media, where raw material quality and consistency can affect manufacturing processes for biologics, vaccines and cell therapies.

Brenntag said the agreement expands its existing biopharma ingredients portfolio and gives manufacturers access to the vitamin products through its global distribution network.

“With this partnership, we significantly expand our global biopharma portfolio and strengthen our ability to support customers who rely on stable, quality-assured raw materials,” Gust Desmedt, global president, pharma at Brenntag, said.

Focus on cell culture and upstream processing

Vitamins are used as components of cell culture media and feed formulations that support the growth and productivity of cells used to produce biological medicines.

The agreement therefore covers materials used in processes supporting a range of biopharmaceutical products, rather than finished medicines.

The companies said the portfolio is intended to support consistent cell performance, process robustness and production at different manufacturing scales.

The distribution agreement covers five major biopharma regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia-Pacific.

The partnership also builds on a relationship between Brenntag and dsm-firmenich that has lasted for more than 30 years.

Fernanda Onofre, director, global marketing and business development, pharma biologics solutions, health, nutrition and care at dsm-firmenich, said the partnership brings together the companies’ capabilities to provide ingredients for biopharmaceutical applications.

“Biond was created to address the evolving needs of biological manufacturers, who increasingly require not only high-purity raw materials, but also confidence in quality, reliability and technical expertise,” Onofre said.

BYPHAR launch at CPHI

The BYPHAR powered by Biond portfolio will be presented publicly at CPHI in Milan on 7 October.

Brenntag said the products will be available in multiple packaging formats, supporting customers from research and development through to commercial manufacturing.

The agreement is part of Brenntag’s wider expansion of its biopharma ingredients offering, while dsm-firmenich will supply the vitamin products under its Biond range.

The companies have not disclosed financial terms for the distribution agreement.