SAFC expands Pharmorphix UK site
SAFC, a member of the Sigma-Aldrich Group, has completed the initial phase of a two-stage expansion at its SAFC Pharmorphix research facility in Cambridge, UK, for its SAFC Pharma business. Completion of a 2,500ft2 laboratory extension will be followed by additional investment in spring 2007 as part of a US$600,000 expansion programme.
SAFC Pharmorphix specialises in solid form characterisation and research. Services include polymorph investigation, salt selection, physiochemical property determinations, pre-formulation profiling, co-crystallisation, classical chiral resolution and crystallisation studies.
The expanded laboratory will support expected growth in addition to developing leading-edge science and analytical techniques. In the second quarter of 2007, SAFC Pharmorphix expects to introduce additional state-of-the-art X-ray crystallography equipment into the lab.
Last November, SAFC Pharma announced plans to expand Pharmorphix' capabilities into the US with a new laboratory at their flagship high potency APIs facility in Madison, Wisconsin. The new American lab is expected to be operational in spring 2007.
SAFC is also looking to increase its formulation capacity, president Frank Wicks told Manufacturing Chemist at Informex. His first choice would be a flexible non-GMP plant in China in the 500-1500 gallon range, combined with a GMP plant in India. However, if nothing suitable were available in India he would consider a larger plant in China. A decision is likely in the next three to four months, he said.
There are also concrete plans for debottlenecking, particularly in Arklow, Gillingham and Sheboygan where the situation is most critical. This will involve a move to 24/7 shift working as well as capital projects such as increasing drying capacity.