Hovione installs inhalation capsule filling machine
Completes the final step in plan to offer full development services for inhalation products
Hovione has expanded its inhalation drug product development services with the addition of a high precision MG2 FlexaLAB capsule filling machine.
This investment is the last step in Hovione’s plan to offer full development services for inhalation projects, from API and formulation to powder inhalers and final unit dose.
The Portuguese manufacturer of APIs says the filling machine, which fills up to 3,000 capsules/hour, will support Phase II and Phase III clinical trials. It is fitted with the MultiNET system, which allows 100% net weight unit verification for increased precision.
'We give our customers an edge in inhalation capsule filling for drug delivery to the lung, by providing access to a machine capable of very high precision filling of low doses, down to 5mg,' said Peter Villax, Vice President of Hovione.
'We are perhaps the only independent company with expertise in every aspect of the inhaled drug development process and this acquisition strengthens our commitment to inhalation drug development.'
Hovione is currently executing inhaled drug development projects for a number of pharmaceutical companies, involving API process development, particle engineering, formulation development and clinical supplies.
Gonçalo Andrade, Business Development Manager, said: 'The acquisition of the MG2 FlexaLAB unit allows Hovione to support capsule filling activities in all stages of clinical development and even low volume commercial manufacturing of inhalation drug products.'
