Visit the International Products Corporation web site

New name for Scientific Generics

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Oct 23, 2006

Scientific Generics, the Cambridge-headquartered international technology company, has changed its name to Sagentia.

Scientific Generics, the Cambridge-headquartered international technology company, has changed its name to Sagentia.

The change of name is part of a fundamental rebranding at the company which celebrates 20 years of successful business this year.

Sagentia's rebranding programme and 20th anniversary coincide with the appointment of Dr Christopher Masters as nonexecutive Chairman at Sagentia's ultimate parent company The Generics Group.

As part of the rebranding process, The Generics Group will change its name to Sagentia Group before the year-end.

Sagentia's name change is the culmination of a major nine month rebranding project at Sagentia involving clients, staff and other stakeholders.

Since its establishment in Cambridge in 1986, Sagentia's business has grown consistently and has become an international organisation with many clients based outside the UK.

Looking to the future, Sagentia's management is keen to ensure that its global identity helps explain how the company generates value for its clients.

Sagentia's original name reflected a focus on the development of platform technologies capable of multiple applications.

However, over the past 20 years, the word "generic" has come to mean "commodity", particularly in the medical sector where it is specifically associated with unbranded medicines.

Sagentia has a strong presence in the medical sector, along with five other global markets.

The name change will enable the company to dispel any ambiguities in the marketplace arising from its previous name.

Simon Davey, Sagentia's Chief Executive, commented: "We believe our new name and brand identity brings clarity to our market position and also our overall corporate proposition; which is to be the company of choice for clients, partners, employees and shareholders who seek a leadership position in the creation of value from technology".

"But while our brand and name have changed, the underlying principle on which our business is founded has not".

"We will continue to lead in the creation of value from technology that will enable our clients to realise better business opportunities".

Sagentia Group, the rebranded group holding company, will continue to have two principal operating subsidiaries: Sagentia (the technology consultancy business); and Chord Capital (the venture management business previously known as Generics Asset Management).

Under Swiss law, the change of name of the holding company to Sagentia Group requires the formality of a special resolution at the company's extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to be held on 16th November 2006.

This coincides with the board's decision to recommend the appointment of Dr Christopher Masters as Independent nonExecutive Chairman of the Group.

The appointment of Dr Masters will be subject to the passing of a special resolution at the same EGM to be held in November.

Dr Masters has already started to work with Sagentia's management team.

Johan Bjorklund the current Chairman, and also Managing Director of the Group's principal shareholder, Catella, will remain on the board as a nonExecutive Director.

Martin Frost continues in his position as Managing Director of Sagentia Group, the parent company of both Sagentia and Chord Capital.