The chemicals manufacturer has added “FlowPlate” reactors its existing Microreaction Technology (MRT) Platform. Lonza said it has already used the technology – which comes in four sizes, with milli- and micro-channel designs – to develop multiple small molecule and peptide products.
The company said the addition of FlowPlate reactors to its platform allows faster initial process development and shortens the time to large-scale production.
Customers will now have access to MRT’s hardware – the reactors, an ultrasound system, dosage apparatus, valves and actuators – as well as engineering services (such as algorithms forearly candidate assessment), a scaling-up process, and technical support.
The combined tech can be used to manufacture APIs (active pharmaceutical ingredients), intermediates and specialty ingredients, including standard small molecules, peptides, highly potent APIs and cytotoxic compounds.
Continuous processing
Lonza’s Colleen Floreck told in-Pharmatechnologist.com the MRT platform allows “continuous flow processing, replacing traditional batch concepts.
“MRT is a component of flow chemistry, sharing the advantages of flow chemistry, such as better yield and productivity, smaller footprint, improved process selectivity, less waste and speed to the clinic.”
Customers signing up to the MRT Research Evaluation Agreement will license the platform for manufacturing “a single product” at their own facilities.
Floreck acknowledged Lonza’s many competitors in in the hardware and microreactor equipment markets, adding that “many of the major CMOs are getting into flow chemistry,” but saidthe company’s latest offering will targetboth early and commercial customers.
“Early phase customers benefit from Lonza’s IP-protected processes, lower cost of goods, control of development costs, and speed in developing a commercially consistent and reliable process.
“Commercial Phase customers also benefit from an IP protected process and lower cost of goods, as well as security of supply, and reduced capital expenditures as MRT uses a smaller footprint than traditional batch production.”