Althea adds new aseptic fill/finish line amid cost concerns
The San Diego, CA-based contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) installed the Optima VFVM 7000 aseptic fill/finish line.
"All of our clients are concerned with the cost of manufacturing API. The ability to maximize yield from the filling line was a key driver for this project," Stacy Sutton, head of engineering at Althea told Outsourcing-Pharma.com.
"This line has the capability to use two different pumping systems, rotary piston and peristaltic. The ability to use single use disposable filling assemblies in conjunction with peristaltic pumps is a key feature," she added.
The line also has features to minimize drug product loss, including start and end of production modes, Sutton explained.
Additionally, the new line enables larger batch sizes and a wider filling volume range (0.2 mL up to 100 mL). The equipment also provides 100% in-process-control and nitrogen purging.
