Compass’s new primary packaging suite, which was designed by local engineering group Manufacturing Automation Corp, can handle antibiotics, anti-folates, anti-metabolites and hormones.
The firm said the unit “has negative differential air pressure relative to surrounding gowning and secondary packaging areas,” and “high-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters” designed to minimize contamination and improve operator safety.
COO Tony Fenno explained that: “Compass Pharma investments continue to position the company as a responsive contract pharmaceutical packaging partner for sophisticated, high-demand contract packaging services.”
Earlier this year Compass added micro and nano-fill technologies capable of packaging small volumes of potent pharmaceutical powders or liquids into blisters, vials and pouches.
Compass has also hired fellow New Jersey-based company Whitehouse Analytical Laboratories to provide laboratory services for its customers on an ongoing basis.
Demand for the specialised handling and manufacturing services has grown significantly in recent years as Big Pharma shifts its focus from traditional small molecules drugs to more potent compounds.
The contract sector has been quick to recognise and adapt to this demand, particularly in the Europe and the US where the ability to offer such high-tech services is increasingly seen as a way of competing against the booming Asian manufacturing sector.
For example, in the last six months alone companies as disparate as Covance, SAFC, Norwich Pharmaceuticals and Azopharma have all expanded high-potency and cytotoxic handling capacity.