Global CDMO Catalent has completed a significant expansion of its nasal capabilities at its Morrisville, Research Triangle Park (RTP), North Carolina, facility. The expansion will improve the company’s ability to provide services for the development and manufacturing of unit and bi-dose nasal spray products.
This marks the first phase of a multi-million-dollar investment at the site to expand and modernise its nasal drug delivery capabilities, substantially increasing technology and capacity to support projected growth for existing and future customers. The expansion is in response to growing interest in the potential for nose-to-brain drug administration, as an alternative route for the delivery of systemic drugs, rescue therapies, and vaccines.
The RTP site has supported numerous nasal programs from early formulation, clinical, and commercial production, and the now-complete first phase investment will provide a flexible, high speed micro vial filling line, automated inspection, and high-speed assembly line capable of supporting unit and bi-dose programmes. The additional technologies are intended to facilitate transition for all clinical and commercial manufacturing within an ISO 7 environment and spray testing development and release.
“Our team in Morrisville has a long history of success in developing and commercializing nasal drug products, and we are witnessing a growth in this field from innovators looking to exploit its advantage, such as its fast onset of action and being non-invasive,” said Jonathan Arnold, President of Oral and Specialty Delivery at Catalent.
“This initial investment at the site has allowed us to integrate expertise across a range of disciplines, including analytical sciences, formulation development and manufacturing, with the latest in product filling technology, enabling researchers to accelerate nasal drug product programs, and commercialise new medicines as fast as possible.”