Here at Johnson Matthey Fine Chemicals we have a rich history of innovation, dating back to our origins over 200 years ago. Scroll down to view key milestones throughout the course of our business and learn how we’ve grown to become a global, leading fine chemicals provider.

1815

The roots of Macfarlan Smith extend back to the early nineteenth century, when John Fletcher Macfarlan sets up his pharmacy in Edinburgh.

1817

Percival Norton Johnson establishes business as a gold assayer.

1820

Brothers Thomas and Henry Smith, both Licentiates of the Royal College of Surgeons, establish their own separate pharmacies in Edinburgh.

1847

Sir James Simpson discovers the anaesthetic properties of chloroform.

1851

George Matthey joins the company to form Johnson & Matthey.

1854

Macfarlan Smith morphine is used in the first ever hypodermic injection of a human.

1870

J.F. Macfarlan works with Joseph Lister, the pioneer of aseptic surgery, and produces the first sterile dressings.

1919

Johnson Matthey Inc. founded.

1958

Denatonium benzoate (Bitrex®) is identified. It is extremely bitter and is readily detected in the air and in any solution.

1970

Research with Michigan State University begins. This later leads to discovery of the platinum-based anti-cancer drug Cisplatin in 1977.

1973

Macfarlan Smith wins the Queen’s Award for Exports.

1975

Carboplatin is discovered.

1982

Bitrex® is officially recognised as the bitterest substance known to man by the Guinness World Records.

1983

Commercialisation of Johnson Matthey’s platinum-based anti-cancer drugs.

1983

West Deptford plant opens for manufacturing.

1985

Johnson Matthey expands its capabilities into Controlled Substances to gain synergy with existing security infrastructure for Precious Metals.

1991

Johnson Matthey receives the Queen’s Award for work on platinum-based anti-cancer drugs.

2000

The Devens, MA facility opens for business.

2001

Johnson Matthey PLC acquires Macfarlan Smith as an integral part of its Fine Chemicals Division.

2001

Development of large-scale chromatography and separations work at Devens, MA facility.

2002

Johnson Matthey acquires Pharm-Eco Laboratories.

2002

Johnson Matthey acquires Synetix.

2005

Devens facilities begin high potency operations.

2006

The dedicated pharma focused business unit is created - Catalysis and Chiral Technologies.

2010

Acquisition of X-Zyme means the addition of a biocatalysis platform.

2010

Commission of the Yantai China facility.

2010

Biocatalysis platform added. X-Zyme acquisition.

2011

The grand opening of the Shanghai Catalyst plant.

2014

Acquisition of former GSK manufacturing site in Annan, Scotland.

2015

Realignment of the Fine Chemicals division under 4 core offerings: Custom Pharma Solutions, Controlled Substances, Catalysts and APIs & Life Cycle Management.

2015

Johnson Matthey acquire Pharmorphix® solid form business from Sigma-Aldrich bringing world-leading solid-state capabilities.