Catalent Expands High-Potency Handling Capability

Catalent Pharma Solutions announced the expansion of its potent handling and manufacturing capabilities at its Somerset, NJ facility on Jan. 28, 2015. This announcement follows the company's expansion in high-potency clinical packaging and the acquisition of Micron Technologies.

Catalent has completed the expansion of facility and engineering controls for its high-potency tableting and OptiMelt Hot Melt Extrusion operations in Somerset to supplement existing potent capabilities in oral solid and Zydis Fast Dissolve manufacturing. The company is now investing in additional potent containment for large-scale blending, fluid-bed processing, and high-shear granulation, which will come online throughout the first half of 2015. The expansion creates a manufacturing Center of Excellence for potent handling across Catalent’s portfolio of oral solid manufacturing solutions, which includes hot-melt extrusion, high-shear and wet granulation processing, solvent-based capability, extrusion/spheronization, fluid-bed processing, Wurster coating, and compression and encapsulation. The Somerset facility is capable of handling SafeBridge Category 3 and 4, with SafeBridge certification expected in July of 2015.

“With the growing pipeline for oncology and other highly potent compounds, industry demand for development and manufacture is increasing,” commented Jonathan Arnold, vice-president and general manager of Catalent’s Advanced Delivery Technologies business. “Catalent has extensive experience in potent compound handling, now providing analytical, development, manufacturing and packaging services for over 300 Category 3 & 4 potency compounds across our global network.”