Atacama CEO on Excella deal and development of PDG for HPAPIs

CEO Steffen Mittwich updates in-PharmaTechnologist on Atacama Labs' pneumatic dry granulation (PDG) API processing tech, its deal with German CMO Excella and future development plans.

PDG, as Mittwich explained, is a granulation technology that uses lower compaction forces than standard methods and a special classifying unit to produce active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) particles that have improved “flow-ability” and maximum binding capacity.

He went on to say that the firm plans to develop versions of the PDG machine for the processing of high-potency APIs for the production of oncology drugs and others that require specialised handling procedures like antibiotics.

Mittwich also said that, while Atacama is happy to be working with 10 ten global contract manufacturing organisation (CMO) Excella, the firm is to expanding worldwide accessibility to PDG through future deals.