AstraZeneca has invested in a ConsiGma 25 continuous wet granulation unit from GEA Pharma Systems to strengthen its clinical trial manufacturing capability in Mölndal, Sweden.
The system will be used for the development of novel drugs and also to produce materials for clinical trials. AstraZeneca develops novel formulations and manufactures materials for global clinical trials in this R&D facility. Larger-scale production is transferred to the firm's commercial production facilities.
GEA Pharma Systems says the concept of converting traditional batch production into continuous processing has been developed further over the last decade and is now rapidly gaining interest.
'We are very pleased that AstraZeneca selected GEA Pharma Systems’ technology and drives the development within the industry in general towards continuous production,' said Daniel Frosterud, Sales Manager of Christian Berner, GEA Pharma Systems' agent in Sweden.
'There has been a long-standing relationship between AstraZeneca and GEA Pharma Systems for batch granulation technology, and the continuation – with its third purchase of continuous granulation technology – strengthens further this relationship,' added Michael Van den Bossche, Sales Manager of GEA Pharma Systems.
The ConsiGma can produce granules continuously, there is no waste during start-up and shut-down and the batch size is determined simply by how long the machine is run. It also provides benefits in the development of new products as process parameters can be changed easily during experiments resulting in shorter development time with less material used. Critical quality attributes are measured throughout the process.
