Endeavour sees recovery in intermediates sector

Speaking with in-Pharmatechnologist at CPhI 2010 in Paris Endeavour sales manager Jordi Robinson explained that, while the economic downturn and drug industry destocking impacted demand for bulk intermediates the market is recovering.

Robinson suggested that mergers and acquisitions, and subsequent integration efforts, have seen many drug firms reduce in-house capabilities in favour of outsourced chemical intermediate development and production.

Globalisation is also a factor in the recovery according to Robinson who added that, while the intermediates development sector is expanding in Asia, at present European and US suppliers are still favoured for the majority of projects.

However, he warned that, looking forward, European and US suppliers are unlikely to be able to compete on price unless they also invest in cutting-edge chemical intermediate development technology.