Evionnaz, Switzerland and Sĝborg,
Denmark: Feb. 10, 2010 –
BASF’s Business Unit Pharma Ingredients & Services has entered
into a cooperation with GEA Niro, which will allow BASF to make cGMP (current
Good Manufacturing Practice) spray drying tests and pilot productions of Active
Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) at GEA Niro’s Pharma Test Station in
Copenhagen. GEA Niro’s Pharma Test station is one of the most advanced and
versatile cGMP spray drying facilities worldwide.
Spray drying is an
important technology to improve the bioavailability of poorly soluble APIs. The
spray drying technology can be applied in pharmaceutical production to obtain
several benefits including increased bioavailability, controlled release or
taste masking, and to produce fine powders for inhalation or other
applications. Through this alliance, BASF will add spray drying of APIs and
formulations to its offerings as a provider of custom synthesis services for
small molecules to the pharmaceutical industry.
By combining BASF’s
state of the art custom synthesis capabilities and expertise in excipients with
GEA Niro’s spray drying know-how and cGMP facilities, BASF has created a unique
value proposition for its pharmaceutical customers.
Dr. Folker Ruchatz,
BASF`s Director of Global Business Management Custom Synthesis: “BASF has
already substantial know-how in spray drying. With this cooperation we add to
our portfolio the ability to offer a cGMP facility. Teaming up with GEA Niro
gives us access to a superior facility, and by working with the leading
supplier of spray drying technology worldwide, we can provide the best
solutions to our customers' needs sustainably.”
Niels Erik Olsen,
Executive Vice President at GEA Niro: “The spray drying technology poses a vast
potential for the pharmaceutical industry, and BASF’s expertise across the
entire pharmaceutical value chain will be a huge benefit to many companies. We
hope this alliance with BASF will help drive the market even further. Together,
we offer the pharmaceutical industry a unique set of resources and competencies
covering the complete value chain”.
A press photo by GEA
Niro can be found for download at www.basf.com/pressphoto-database under the
keyword “BASF Group” and the search term “Pharma Solutions” or “Spray Drying”.
About GEA Niro
GEA Niro is a world leader in spray
drying technology, and has a long history of serving the pharmaceutical
industry. The supply includes spray dryers for R&D as well as
industrial-size plants for continuous production of pharmaceutical compounds
under cGMP conditions. The expertise includes technologies for processing API
and excipients using spray drying, agglomeration, encapsulation, and spray
congealing as well as drying of final drug formulations.
GEA Niro’s Pharma Test Station is
the world’s most advanced cGMP spray drying facility, and a part of the GEA
Niro Test Center, which is the world’s major competence center for spray drying
technology. For more information, pls. visit www.niro.com/pts
About BASF Pharma Ingredients &
Services
BASF produces and
markets a broad range of active ingredients and excipients, as well as
exclusive synthesis services for the pharmaceutical industry. These products
are made using the latest technologies, to the highest quality standards and in
compliance with cGMP guidelines. Further information can be found at: www.pharma-ingredients.basf.com.
About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical
company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics
and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals and oil and
gas. As a reliable partner BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries
to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions,
BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as
climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than €62 billion in 2008 and had
approximately 97,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further
information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
Contacts
GEA
Niro