Wockhardt, the global pharmaceutical and biotech group, has built a 10,000sqm manufacturing and R&D facility in Dubai. The building, a US$40 million investment, is the company's first in the Middle East.
Located in the Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), Wockhardt's new plant has been designed for production and packaging of sterile dry powder injection.
India’s Wockhardt is working to develop antimicrobial drugs to fight the emerging threat of superbugs. On approval of the new drug by the US Food and Drug Administration, FDA, the manufacturing facility will be commissioned for commercial production. The plant will be used for manufacturing of NCEs (New Chemical Entities) catering to the global markets through the Dubai arm of its subsidiary Wockhardt Bio AG.
Wockhardt currently has five novel antibiotic drugs in advanced stages of global clinical development, which will be effective against the “superbugs” threats identified by the Center of Disease Control, in the US. Considering the strategic importance of these antibiotics, the FDA has granted Qualified Infectious Disease Program (QIDP) status to these antibiotic drugs.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr Habil Khorakiwala, founder chairman of Wockhardt, said: “Wockhardt is poised for a quantum leap into the future. It is a future of dynamic changes, exciting possibilities and endless potential to further its goal of ‘Life Wins’ and Wockhardt is committed to shaping this future.
"With Wockhardt’s commitment to R&D, we have five, breakthrough NCEs that have been accorded Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) status by US FDA. With the new facility in the Middle East, we aim to focus on our commitment to developing NCEs to fight the health issues faced.”
Aseptic manufacturing
The Wockhardt Bio AG manufacturing facility is designed to meet the standards of various international regulatory agencies and those set by the Local Ministry of Health. "The plant meets the needs of aseptic dry powder injectable manufacturing and filling with a high-quality operation, the company said.
The facility is spread over 10,000 sqm (107,639-square-foot) self-sufficient for handling Warehousing, Manufacturing Operations, Product Testing and Product Stability. It is equipped with best-in-class and fully automated manufacturing machinery and clean utility systems. The design takes into account the requirements for Product and Personnel Safety and Product Quality with complete close transfers and high levels of sterility assurances.
Wockhardt employs over 9,000 people and 27 nationalities with a presence in the US, UK, Ireland, Switzerland, France, Mexico, Russia.