Swiss contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) Micro-Sphere has increased capacity with new MG2 Tekna capsule filling system.
Image: Micro-Sphere’s new MG2 Tekna capsule filler. Photo: courtesy of Micro-Sphere S.A.
Micro-Sphere announced that its MG2 Tekna capsule filling machine is now online, adding further strength to its offering in encapsulation for inhalation products.
The MG2 Tekna system is located in cleanroom at the company’s plant near Lugano in Ticino in an area of controlled relative humidity of 20% (rH 20% +/- 5%).
With a manufacturing capability of 110,000 cps/hour, the system increases Micro-Sphere’s production capacity to up to 500 million capsules per year.
The Swiss CDMO has also invested in a MultiNETT, a net weight control system that monitors and reports the net weight of each dosed capsule.
The MultiNETT system features capacitive tomography to guarantee accuracy and precision. It rejects all capsules it deems out of specification.
Micro-Sphere’s Michael Grassberger, who has been promoted to managing director, is working on the company’s plans to increase its client portfolio.
Grassberger said the company’s investment is the result of increasing client demand for encapsulation services and its drive to offer customers real commercial benefits.
“This new machinery will offer high quality products, reduced production times, detailed batch reporting and, ultimately, cost savings,” Grassberger said.
“Added to our existing Harro Höfliger drum dosing equipment the new MG2 Tekna dosator system means we are the only CDMO in the world to offer these two important commercial size filling techniques under one roof.”
The latest announcement is the last step in Micro-Sphere’s €19m investment plan to expand its GMP manufacturing capabilities.
The investment tripled the size of the company’s production area, allowing it to have the capacity to handle vast quantities of pharmaceutical powders and commercial volumes of finished dosage forms.
The company’s expert team, through the GMP, SwissMedic and FDA approved plant in Switzerland, supports customers in the US, Europe, New Zealand and Asia with spray drying capabilities.
It supports in development and manufacturing of both potent and non-potent pharmaceutical products, with a focus on inhalable dosage forms.