The Scotland-based contract manufacturing organisation (CMO) has offered lyophilisation for the sterile filling of vials since its inception.
However, it has now added capacity to provide both aseptic and low bioburden clean room dispensing of bulk materials.
CEO Colin MacKay said: “This service launch has very much been driven by market demand from biotech and pharmaceutical companies requiring either a one-off batch or the ongoing bulk lyophilisation of API or finished product.”
The investment – financial details of which were not disclosed - comes a few months after Symbiosis moved to build its presence in the US market, citing the country’s market for injectable drug contracting as a driver.
Freeze drying a hot topic
It also follows hot on the heels of AMRI’s acquisition of an aseptic drug manufacturing facility in Glasgow from Aptuit. The Glasgow site, which houses lyophilisation capabilities, is less than 50 miles away from Symbiosis expanded plant.
Elsewhere in Europe a number of rival contract manufacturing organisations (CMOs) have invested in freeze drying capacity, also citing demand.
Last August Carbogen Amcis signed a long-term lease on a facility housing lyophilisation capabilities and Recipharm’s acquisition of Italian contractor Corvette was motivated in part by a desire to add such capability.