Pharma manufacturing news in brief
pharmafile | April 3, 2012 | News story | Manufacturing and Production |Â Â Gerresheimer and Foster Wheeler, Pharmax, Sigma-AldrichÂ
Pharmax starts building Dubai plant, Brazil tightens gelatin controls, plus updates from Sigma-Aldrich, Gerresheimer and Foster Wheeler.
Pharmax Pharmaceuticals of the United Arab Emirates has broken ground on a new 90,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Dubai that will produce generic medicines for a range of chronic conditions, including diabetes, high cholesterol, peptic ulcers, central nervous system disorders and respiratory diseases. The 40 million dirham ($11m) plant will focus on oral solid dosage forms and is intended to make the UAE less reliant on imported pharmaceuticals, according to Pharmax’ managing director Ahmad Tabari.
Brazil has promised to tighten up its control of gelatin production amid pressure from the European Commission, including the threat of import restrictions. There has been concern about the production processes for gelatin destined for human consumption in Brazil, a major world producer thanks to its large cattle industry. The Commission’s Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) carried out an audit in October 2011 which uncovered deficiencies in the sanitation of facilities, the certification of cattle hides used for gelatin production and transport standards. The Brazilian government has issued a statement promising to update legislation and enforce stricter controls on production.
Sigma-Aldrich has acquired Research Organics of the US, expanding its buffer production capacity and increasing its portfolio of pharmaceutical grade raw materials for the biopharmaceutical and diagnostic markets. No financial details of the transaction have been disclosed. Research Organics will become part of SAFC, the custom manufacturing and services business unit of Sigma-Aldrich.
Gerresheimer Medical Plastic Systems has opened a new pharmaceutical packaging, assembly and filling area at its plant in Pfreimd, Germany, incorporating three Class D (ISO 8) cleanrooms ranging in size between 70 and 90 sq. m., which are kept physically separate to allow multiple products to be produced in parallel. The company said the new unit at Gerresheimer Regensburg expands its portfolio of manufacturing services, which also include injection moulding and finishing of plastic products.
Engineering and construction company Foster Wheeler has been awarded a contract by SAJA Pharmaceuticals for the expansion of a manufacturing facility in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The conceptual and basic design contract is due to be completed during May 2012. SAJA is a joint venture between Tamer Group and two Japanese pharma companies, Daiichi-Sankyo and Astellas Pharma.
Phil Taylor
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