(federation has pointed this out to me- I know nothing about it - honest) EIFFEL TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED (EIF) (Company background) Rumours re: Takeover announcement Announced on 29 Jan 20014:35:32 PM Part: - 403 words Status: Not market sensitive (N) Industry Sub Group: Pharmaceutical (211)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++ Directors have become aware of recent market rumour and speculation of a takeover announcement for Eiffel Technologies Limited (Eiffel) formerly PharmAction Holdings Limited, similar to market speculation in March 2000.
Directors believe that the takeover speculation may have been fuelled by two announcements in December 2000 of the acquisition of two of Eiffel's major international competitors by large pharmaceutical companies.
In early December 2000, Lavipharm Laboratories Inc announced that it had acquired exclusive and perpetual rights to Phasex Corporation's Supercritical Fluids technology (SCF), patents, trademark and know-how for use in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic fields together with a 30% equity stake in Phasex. Phasex, based in Boston, Massachusetts, applies SCF technology to the development of separation, purification and recrystallisation processes with emphasis on particle design of small and bio-molecules including proteins and peptides.
No purchase price has been announced that Directors are aware of. The President and CEO of Lavipharm, Mr Lavotha, is reported as stating, "There is no doubt that this is the technology platform of the future for the pharmaceutical and biotech industries."
The second announcement, which Directors believe may be fuelling takeover speculation, was the late December acquisition of Bradford Particle Design Plc by US giant Inhale Therapeutic Systems Inc for 135 million pounds sterling (approximately $A380 million).
Reuters London, reported on 21 December 2000, that Inhale had reported that it made the acquisition a month after it failed to buy UK drug delivery Company Quadrant Healthcare, losing it to the Irish based group Elan Corporation.
Both Phasex and Bradford are world competitors with Eiffel in the formulation of drug particle design to allow large particle injectable drugs to be micronised by special Supercritical Fluid technology to allow administration by puffer or patch.
Eiffel considers itself a world leader in this field, given the accelerated Supercritical Fluid technology research programme that has been undertaken.
Directors announce that whilst discussions and negotiations occur on a daily basis with a wide range of leading international pharmaceutical companies, there are no current offers to acquire Eiffel and no current negotiations on this subject.
Directors consider that a fully informed market exists, and any important developments will be immediately announced to shareholders.
S Quigley DIRECTOR
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Mr Sam Quigley C/- Pelorus Australia Pty Ltd Level 14/50 Market Street MELBOURNE VIC 3000
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