Resourceful Solutions during Economic Downturns

The wide range of challenges facing pharmaceutical companies in the current environment has radically changed corporate and operational priorities. The harsh reality is that many, if not all companies are facing serious ramifications from the financial crisis. With cash restrains and decrease of consumer and business spending, many firms were forced to downsize, restructure and suspend many projects, which could hold potential resolution of current corporate obscurities. Analysts recommend vast amount of strategies to overcome these difficult times, including stimulating operational savings and decreasing capital costs.

One of the novel ways to meet this goal is by utilizing multi-purpose equipment that would allow performing numerous stages of production with one piece of equipment. These solutions require much less capital expense and reduce required GMP space, bringing great savings and improving the rates of equipment utilization. This concept expands capabilities of laboratory and R&D facilities allowing them to enlarge their scope of drug development projects.

Equipment like, the Labcoat MX 3-in-1 is not widely used in the current industry, but rapidly gaining popularity because of its efficiencies. It offers production flexibility through interchangeable pellet / tablet coating pans, blender and tray dry oven inserts. A wide range of interchangeable inserts allows variations of production from 0.7 to 10 kg. This unit is equipped with an anti-bearding spray nozzle, built-in peristaltic pump, supply and exhaust fans, and a user-friendly operation panel, which makes it portable and easy to install.

The multi-purpose concept is also being used for processing fine particles and pellets in laboratory fluid bed systems, like FBDG 1 BT. With top spray and Wurster inserts this equipment is used for pellet coating, drying, granulating and pelletting. Latest innovations in fluid bed technology insures reduction in the amount of fines, improves flow ability and homogeneity of the finished product.