Micro-Sphere increases capsule filling capacity

Switzerland-based contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) Micro-Sphere has announced that its MG2 Tekna capsule filling machine is now online, adding further strength to its offering in encapsulation for inhalation products.

Situated in a dedicated cleanroom at Micro-Sphere’s recently expanded facility near Lugano in Ticino, the MG2 Tekna is in an area of controlled relative humidity of 20% (rH 20% +/- 5%), has a production capability of 110,000 cps/hour and increases the CDMO’s manufacturing capacity to up to 500 million capsules per year.

Alongside the MG2 Tekna machine the company 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 employs capacitive tomography to guarantee accuracy and precision and rejects all capsules it deems out of specification.

Michael Grassberger has recently been promoted to managing director at Micro-Sphere and is spearheading the company’s plans to increase its client portfolio with its greater capacity and improved services.

He said: “Micro-Sphere has always strived to offer the best possible service to our customers. This investment is the result of increasing client demand for encapsulation services and our 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.

“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.”

This latest announcement is the final step in Micro-Sphere’s 21 million CHF (€19 million) investment plan to expand its GMP manufacturing capabilities and comes as the company celebrates its 20th year in business.

Michael added: “In all of its 20 years our company has been committed to strengthening our niche capabilities in spray drying and inhalables. The expansion has seen a significant investment of time and resource and now enables us to move forward with our planned growth and hopefully garner success for at least another 20 years.”

From its GMP, SwissMedic and FDA approved facility in Switzerland, Micro-Sphere’s expert team supports customers in the US, Europe, New Zealand and Asia with spray drying capabilities for the development and manufacture of both potent and non-potent pharmaceutical products, with a focus on inhalable dosage forms.