In recent years, the discussion for flexible facility needs became widespread. The motivations for such flexible facility needs are manifold, for example, the requirement to rapidly deploy additional manufacturing capacities or scalability without interrupting existing processes. In addition, the transformation of the treatment or patient base to more personalized medicines necessitates the need to rethink…
A Focus on West’s State-of-the-Art Waterford, Ireland Facility
West Pharmaceutical Services Inc.’s Waterford, Ireland facility is a global center of excellence for the company’s advanced manufacturing network. The facility, situated on a 44-acre campus, will produce West’s elastomeric laminate sheeting, which is used to package insulin for use in pen injectors. Additionally, it will offer high-value finishing for components, including stoppers and plungers,…
Swiss-Based Pharma Packager to Open First U.S. Manufacturing Plant in Spring
Switzerland-based Hoffmann Neopac, a global provider of packaging for a broad array of industries and applications, has earmarked two of its small-diameter Polyfoil tubes for production at its first U.S. manufacturing facility, which is scheduled to open in spring 2019. The 37,000-square-foot Wilson, NC plant will feature a high-speed tube line as part of an operation…
Two-Way Cloud Connectivity Can Trigger Ultimate Optimization Savings
Connecting to a cloud-based data center is now a crucial part of updating an HVAC system—especially for pharmaceutical companies. Pharmaceutical companies significantly can reduce energy consumption—and operational costs—by making their HVAC systems more efficient. Expansive facilities with precise manufacturing requirements tend to have large cooling, boiler, and air handling systems, which often run wastefully. Optimizing…
Catalent Invests $14 Million to Expand Biologics Packaging Capabilities
Catalent Pharma Solutions, a global provider of advanced delivery technologies and development solutions for drugs, biologics, and consumer health products, has announced that following the site’s twentieth commercial product approval, it is investing nearly $14 million to expand biologics packaging capabilities and capacity at its Bloomington, Indiana, biologics manufacturing facility. Construction of the 15,000-square-foot facility…
Bayer Shedding 12,000 Jobs, Exiting Animal Care Business
In a strategic move, Bayer plans to cut as many as 12,000 jobs over the next few years, shed its animal care business, and exit from the Coppertone and Dr. Scholl’s consumer product lines. Most of the job cuts will come from operations in Germany, according to the company, which employs some 118,000 workers globally. Bayer…
Sandoz Abandoning U.S. Development of Rixathon
Novartis’ Sandoz division recently announced that it was no longer pursuing US approval for Rixathon, its biosimilar version of Roche’s Rituxan/MabThera (rituximab). Despite the fact that not seeking approval in the US is a lost opportunity in the short term, Sandoz’s strategy to prioritize other more profitable markets for Rixathon will benefit the company in…
Shire Takes Top Spot in 2018 ISPE Facility of the Year Awards
Aphria to Acquire CC Pharma, Strengthening Foothold in German Medical Cannabis Market
Aphria Inc. has proposed the acquisition of CC Pharma GmbH, a leading distributor of pharmaceutical products to more than 13,000 pharmacies in Germany. The transaction, when closed, will strengthen the Company’s end-to-end medical cannabis operations and infrastructure in Germany, a key market in Aphria’s international expansion. It is anticipated that the transaction will close in January 2019. “This acquisition strengthens…
Experic Launches With Planned cGMP Pharma Supply Facility in New Jersey
Experic, a pharmaceutical supply services provider, has leased a 45,500-square-foot headquarters, research, manufacturing, and packaging facility in Cranbury, NJ. to focus on small and midsize customers. The new cGMP facility will feature capabilities around powder and solid oral manufacturing in addition to traditional dosage forms, along with packaging, labeling, and global supply chain management services. Upon opening, the facility…