UK chemical software provider Lhasa has acquired cheminformatics companies Molecular Networks of Germany and US-based Altamira to improve its offering for the cosmetics industry.
The duo both have a focus on scientific software applications for in silico profiling and evaluation of chemical compounds.
Molecular Networks’ software products are used worldwide in industry and academic research, to design and optimise chemical products and processes.
One of its flagship products, ChemTunes·ToxGPS, a safety assessment system that integrates data and knowledge from experiments and predictions, is widely used for safety assessments within the cosmetics industry.
The system includes chemical, biological, and safety data based on a high-quality dataset developed in collaboration with the FDA and the EU SEURAT-1 Research Initiative, via a COSMOS project.
Leeds, UK-based Lhasa creates recognised and trusted software solutions that solve real-world chemical safety assessment problems in relation to drugs, chemicals and cosmetics.
Its flagship in silico solutions include Derek Nexus for toxicity prediction, Sarah Nexus for mutagenicity assessment, and Zeneth for degradation prediction.
Lhasa technology is designed by scientists, for scientists, in collaboration with industry stakeholders and regulators.
Lhasa has a long-standing relationship with Molecular Networks and Altamira, having successfully collaborated on several EU funded projects.
The acquisitions will broaden the chemical safety assessment impact, delivering additional value to Lhasa members, Molecular Networks’ clients and stakeholders.
"We have worked alongside Molecular Networks and Altamira for a number of years. I’ve always been impressed with their approach and their scientific software products," said Lhasa CEO Dr Chris Barber.
“This is a great opportunity, which will benefit our collective community, alongside supporting our charitable purpose of advancing chemical safety science and reducing the need for animal testing."
The value of the acquisitions was not disclosed.
