AMPAC to produce smallpox drug API for Chimerix
Will be manufactured in a remotely operated process plant
AMPAC Fine Chemicals (AFC), a subsidiary of American Pacific Corporation, has signed a contract manufacturing agreement with Chimerix for the production of CMX001, an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in an antiviral being developed for the prevention and treatment of smallpox.
The API will be manufactured at AFC’s recently completed second semi-works unit, which is located within a secured perimeter on the DoD-regulated campus of Aerojet/GenCorp in Rancho Cordova, US.
‘This facility offers a remotely operated process plant which can safely run hydrogenations and hazardous chemical processes, while containing reactants and products with Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) down to 0.5 µg/m3, combining two of the core strengths of AFC,’ said Larry Zeagler, executive director of product management for AFC.
Equipment at the facility includes four reactors (from 1136–2840 litres) and one 2.0m2 Hastelloy filter-dryer.
‘The unit is ideally suited to the production of APIs required by companies like Chimerix,’ added Zeagler. ‘This agreement further solidifies our position as a supplier with world class cGMP manufacturing capabilities in the US.’