Mylan Doubles Capacity at Transdermal Patch Facility
Last week Mylan Technologies – the transdermal technology subsidiary of Mylan – completed its new facility expansion at its transdermal patch plant in St. Albans, Vermont, adding 85,000 sq ft of additional manufacturing and laboratory space.
“The expansion is part of the company's global investment of $305.5 million in capital expenditure for 2012 and an estimated $300 to $400 million for 2013,” Mylan spokesperson Christine Waller told in-Pharmatechnologist.com.
She continued, adding: “The site is doubling manufacturing capabilities between 2012 and 2013 from 105 to 206 million units (doses).”
The facility manufactures Mylan’s transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS), adhesive patches that deliver medication through the skin, and related technologies including currently marketed products Clonidine for hypertension, and Nitroglycerin for the prevention of angina pectoris.
Mylan also makes Fentanyl from the facility, “the first generic class II narcotic TDDS ever approved,” according to Waller, and “an AB-rated alternative to the equivalent branded drug, Duragesic,” marketed by Janssen.
On top of growing manufacturing capacity and extended R&D capabilities, the expansion – which increases the total size of the facility to 391,000 sq ft - is creating 160 new jobs in St. Albans.
Mylan and Agila
Though the St. Albans plant is specifically a transdermal facility, Waller spoke to us about Mylan’s manufacturing network in the light of last week's approval by Indian regulators of the acquisition of injectable firm Agila.
“The integration of Agila will bolster Mylan's long term injectables strategy by growing our product pipeline, enhancing Mylan's manufacturing capabilities and presence in a broader range of therapeutic classes,” she said.
The closing of the deal pushes the number of plants in Mylan’s network to 38, broken up as follows: 12 oral solid dose facilities,13 injectables facilities, three specialty facilities, and 10 API facilities.
“This diversified platform enhances the efficiency of our supply chain and ensures that we will continue to build the flexibility required to reliably supply product,” Waller said. “These facilities also provide Mylan with proximity to our key markets around the world and vertical integration to help manage costs.”