Not too big, not too expensive, and not too fussy to handle small batch sizes, this machine proved just right for specialist clinical manufacturer
Developing pharmaceuticals in clinical trial batch sizes is a crucial element in new product development that is extremely cost sensitive, so finding the most economical equipment that is tailored to such work is crucial.
In the case of The Specials Clinical Manufacturing, finding a capsule filling machine that was not too large, or too expensive and one that could handle batch sizes as small as 50grams was difficult.
That was until the company's technical manager, Jackie Delap, spotted Isopak during her internet research, a move that provided the perfect answer for the company's needs.
Delap said: "We're involved in products undergoing phase one and two clinical trials so we usually deal in batch sizes as low as 50 grammes.
"Our research showed that the only machine that could handle that, which was also small enough for use in a laboratory and wasn't too expensive, was the Dott Bonapace In-Cap capsule filler, supplied by Isopak".
The automatic bench machine is the smallest automatic filling machine in the world.
It is capable of filling powder, pellets, liquids, jelly, tablets and gels in to almost any size and format of capsules, with a maximum rated throughput of 3000 capsules per hour.
The In-Cap machine has been installed in The Specials's new 1600m2 purpose-built manufacturing facility at Prudhoe, Northumberland.
The company makes special pharmaceuticals that are not subject to conventional medical licences, or are licenced elsewhere and adapted by the company for particular purposes, such as child doses, or to suit a particular type of patient.
The Specials supplies pharmacies, hospitals and other healthcare sectors.
Delap commented: "While the In-Cap's ability to handle our small batch sizes was vital, it is also very versatile, as we will need to have the ability to work on other types of products than the capsules we are currently producing.
"Liquid filling is one of those options available to us".
The capsule filling operation is an integral part of The Specials's development.
The business invested £1.8m in the Prudhoe site and it is rapidly expanding with sales of £6m for the year to July, up from £4m last time and £2m the previous year.
Delap was enthusiastic about Isopak's support and said: "I can't fault Isopak at all.
"The company was very proactive and we have received a high level of support.
"The machine is also very easy to use and straightforward".
The In-Cap at The Specials features a stainless steel top plate, stainless steel trolley with a dust extraction vacuum pump inside.
