Catalent has announced plans to invest up to US$40 million at its manufacturing facility in Winchester, Kentucky (US). The investment will see the installation of new equipment that will increase the site’s formulation and controlled-release tablet and capsule manufacturing capabilities and capacity.
“Our Winchester facility provides customers with a high degree of flexible manufacturing solutions and has a proven track record of success with technology transfers and product launches,” commented Rick Tucker, General Manager, Catalent Winchester. “We have a clear investment strategy at the site that is not only driven by immediate customer needs but also looks to the future in anticipation of demand and new technologies.”
The investment includes new technologies including a laser drill for osmotic drug delivery, and stick pack dosage manufacturing capabilities. The drug-making contractor also said that roller compaction and fluid bed capacity will be increased at the site.
Additionally, a spray dryer will be installed to provide commercial scale up capacity for projects that progress from early-stage development. Catalent said the equipment is utilised to create amorphous solid dispersions and overcome formulation challenges posed by poorly soluble drugs. The technology will allow the transfer of projects from Catalent’s development sites including San Diego and Nottingham, UK.
An automated bottling line is also currently being installed, and completion of the various equipment validations is expected over the coming months.
Opened in 1992, the Catalent Winchester facility has evolved into one of the industry’s premier sites for advanced oral controlled-release drug formulation and manufacturing.
The site has produced over three-billion tablets and capsules annually and launched more than 100 new products into the market since its inception.
In 2015, the site underwent a $35m facility investment that doubled its footprint to 180,000 sqft.