Isopak supplied a Dott Bonapace In-Cap capsule filling machine, with powder and pellet feeders and an associated BD3000 capsule banding machine, to Swedish contract research organisation Galenica
The decision to purchase the new Dott Bonapace machinery was driven by specific project requirements of Galenica to develop a new product for a US-located biotechnology company.
Initially only a small quantity of drugs will be produced for clinical trials, research and development so a small, yet fully automated capsule filler was required.
Versatility was also an important factor for Galenica when choosing the In-Cap so when Isopak suggested pre-arranging to fit the new capsule filling machine with a liquid filler it became an attractive proposition.
Galenica needed a machine not only for its current research project on powders but one which had the flexibility to be used on future products which could be in pellet or liquid form.
Isopak says it takes pride in maintaining high levels of customer service, and this installation was no exception.
Representatives were on hand at the Galenica headquarters in Sweden to carry out the site acceptance test and again in Italy to conduct the factory acceptance test.
Machinery is now fully operational at Galenica and the company is rapidly reaping the benefits.
Capsules previously filled by hand are now being filled quickly with powder using the Dott Bonapace In-Cap capsule filling machine.
Filled capsules are enterically coated with a special substance which ensures controlled release of the drug into the patient's body at precisely the right point and in the exact position.
Before coating the capsules they are sealed using the Dott Bonapace banding machine to protect the enteric coating.
This is an important part of the process because any holes could affect the release point of the chemical or cause leakage, both of which would destroy the effectiveness of this new drug.
Not only does the In-Cap produce clinical batches in a shorter time but it also provides gains in precision and uniformity of the filled capsules.
Galenica director of research and development, Henri Hansson says: "I am very satisfied with both the Dott Bonapace In-Cap capsule filling machine and the BD3000 capsule banding machine supplied by Isopak.
"The new machines meet our exact needs and the continued high levels of customer service which we have received from Isopak throughout the installation, have been a real bonus."
