Pharmaterials’ good manufacturing practice (GMP) compliant facility is due to be operational in early 2009, when it will commence production of inhalation and oral dose forms.
The 30,000 sq ft plant has been built in Reading, UK, where the company is based, providing continuity with the company’s existing services.
In an interview Christopher Landeg, director of business development at Pharmaterials, explained that the move into Phase I manufacturing was a “natural progression” for the company.
Pharmaterials offers a range of services covering screening and physical properties and formulation development. Landeg explained that clients using these services asked about whether Pharmaterials offered Phase I manufacture, leading to the company expanding into this area.
The formulation services included poorly soluble drug formulation and inhaled drug delivery, which has led to the company specialising its manufacturing in these areas.
Pharmaterials clients moving from formulation to Phase I manufacturing will keep the same team, removing the need to transfer information. This will streamline the process and help the client meet more demanding timelines, according to Pharmaterials.
Once the manufacturing facility is operational in 2009, Pharmaterials will be able to offer a more complete in-house package. The scope of this been expanded by Pharmaterials takeover by PII (Pharmaceutics International, Inc) earlier this year.
US-based PII offers a range of services that complement Pharmaterials capabilities, including a 230,000 sq ft GMP compliant manufacturing facility. Consequently the two companies can provide manufacturing from Phase I up to commercial scale, as well as a range of other services.