Richman Chemical Newsletter

Technology Assessment Reports Evaluate the Commercial Feasibility of New Technologies and Recommend Optimal Commercialization Strategies

Issue VIII | July 2015

Richman Chemical, Inc. Technology Assessment Reports (TARs) help technology start-ups, emerging life science companies and technology transfer offices (TTOs) evaluate the commercial feasibility of new technologies. The TAR evaluates the technology based on "as-is" production processes and provides cost-effective production improvement strategies and recommendations for accelerated commercialization.

University and Non-Profit technology transfer offices can benefit greatly from these reports as they seek to license in-house technology to outside companies and investors.  The TARs provide commercial feasibility evaluations that they may not have the expertise or resources to provide on their own.  Further, potential investors and partners prefer independent analyses on commercial viability before making any investment decisions. Most chemical and life science start-ups face similar challenges in developing and commercializing their technologies.

Many university Technology Transfer Offices have established “gap funding” or “proof of concept funding” for their academic teams and principal investigators working on novel technologies or chemistries. The funding enables researchers to vet technology and determine the requirements for commercialization.

In the TAR, Richman Chemical provides an independent analysis of the chemical processes and engineering plans required to develop the new technology.  The TAR serves as a critical resource for conducting needs analysis, identifying process efficiencies and deficiencies and helping project leaders properly allocate limited resources.

RCI also analyzes the complete production scheme for commercial viability; for example, the choices of reagents and intermediates are evaluated for optimal performance, cost and availability.  Impurities, by-products and yields are evaluated with a view towards cost savings opportunities, alternative processes and potential regulatory concerns.  RCI also recommends the most cost-effective raw material sourcing options, while focusing on improving process efficiencies in order to optimize commercial scale manufacturing.

TARs are offered at reasonable, fixed-bid price points and can be customized to accommodate specific budget and content requests.

Additional RCI Commercialization Services

Many start-ups continue to work with RCI and outsource the activities related to scale up and production in order to minimize fixed and capital costs, and to commercialize as rapidly and efficiently as possible.  Years of experience, proprietary knowledge and well-established industry relationships enable RCI to recommend capabilities and capacity at affiliate laboratories and manufacturing facilities based on in-depth knowledge of requisite technical competencies, scope of capabilities, track record, niche technologies, available equipment, manufacturing capacity, scalability and reliability. RCI also serves as a turnkey project manager throughout the commercialization process.

RCI’s Funding Opportunity Reports (FORs) also help startups by identifying and recommending funding options based on the different requirements of investors and funding organizations (VC groups, angel investor consortiums and governmental agencies), as well as pinpointing opportunities for companies to license their technology to commercial partners with synergistic or complementary technologies.

Richman Chemical, Inc. (RCI) was founded in 1987 and pioneered the independent outsourcing model. The company provides its services throughout many markets including biotech, pharmaceutical and medical devices, specialty chemicals, nanotechnology, food and beverage, and flavor and fragrance.

Christopher Kulp serves as Executive Vice President, Contract Services Business, at RCI.

Featured Products and Services

Featured Service:  Small lots cGMP Manufacturing

Low-volume---but vitally important--life science products are a core market serviced by Richman Chemical. Whether the requirement involves an API that tops out at 200 kg annually or a medical device excipient utilized at the tens of kilograms level per manufacturing campaign, Richman Chemical can fulfill requirements cost-effectively, rapidly and with full compliance. We provide small lot cGMP production of drug substance, drug product and excipients at both the clinical and commercial stages, as well as complementary research and development services as needed.

 

Featured Unit Operations: Unit operations

Many customers who come to RCI do not require a single service but instead seek a combination of Unit Operation/Tolling services.  We offer the flexibility to tailor a reaction train or processing configuration to best meet the requirements of the project, and we possess the unit operation expertise to achieve this successfully!  Key Unit Operations that RCI provides include:

  • Blending and Dispersing
  • Distillation
  • Drying
  • Emulsification
  • Extraction
  • High Pressure Reactions
  • Recrystallization
  • Solvent Recovery
  • High Temperature
  • Flaking/Pastillation
  • Grinding
  • Granulation
  • Double Drum Drying
  • Fluid Bed
  • Agglomeration
  • Chilsonation
  • Milling
  • Micronization
  • Spray Drying (Non Flammable/Flammable)

 

Featured Product: Methanesulfonic Acid (MSA) and Methanesulfonyl Chloride (MSC)

For more than 20 years, Richman Chemical has been reliably supplying MSA and MSC to users in diverse industries. Both materials are available in 551 net lb. drums. Methanesulfonic Acid is available in two grades, standard at 70% concentration and anhydrous at 99%. Anhydrous is also available in 55 lb. pail. MSA is used as a solvent and as a solvent and as a catalyst for alkylations, esterifications and polymerizations. Methanesulfonyl Chloride is a building block for agricultural and pharmaceutical chemicals.