Vectura Group, an inhalation contract and development manufacturing organization (CDMO), has expanded its capabilities to handle and develop highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredients (HPAPIs) at its facility in Chippenham, UK. The project will include the installation of six new containment isolators, housing development manufacturing equipment for dispensing, blending, co-milling, jet-milling, spray-drying and blister-filling, into a newly-modelled product development manufacturing laboratory.
 
The new facility will increase the containment capabilities at the site, and allow Vectura scientists to safely handle APIs with an occupational exposure limit (OEL) as low as 0.1 µg/m3. The isolators will allow flexible set up of equipment within them, widening the nature of inhaled drug development projects that can be undertaken for customers. Installation and validation of all equipment is projected to be completed early in 2021.
 
“As a leading inhalation development company, we are committed to developing capabilities to meet our customers’ needs,” said Geraldine Venthoye, Vectura’s chief scientific officer and EVP product development, said. “Many inhaled drugs, targeting, for example, asthma and COPD, rely on high potency because of the small doses delivered, so this investment is crucial to ensure we have the physical capabilities to go alongside our scientists’ expertise to develop medicines and treatments in the future.”
 
Vectura’s facility at Chippenham is home to a combination of advanced science laboratories and offices. It is a key inhalation development site, leveraging differentiated technology and skills to enhance the delivery and performance of inhaled products, from high quality generic alternatives to novel therapies for customers.