Baxter Expands Fill-Finish Facility

Baxter International Inc.’s BioPharma Solutions business, a CMO that specializes in parenteral pharmaceuticals, has completed an approximately 1800-m² capacity expansion designed for oncology drugs at the company’s fill/finish contract manufacturing facility in Halle (Westfalen), Germany, the company announced on Nov. 12, 2015. Lyophilized cytotoxic therapies like the ones manufactured at Halle continue to be at the center of oncology treatment programs.

“Cancer incidence continues to rise, and this completed expansion offers not only capacity but innovative processes and technologies that will allow Baxter to stay at the forefront of parenteral manufacturing for oncology therapies,” said Burkhard Wichert, vice-president of manufacturing for Baxter’s BioPharma Solutions business, in the press release.

The updated facility includes new equipment combined with innovative disinfection systems and an optimized layout to improve efficiency, prevent contamination, and keep potential losses on the filling line to a minimum. Extensive use of glass throughout the expansion area significantly improves visibility for workers and visitors. The ongoing development of the Halle facility is the latest in a series of expansions at Baxter, including the addition of a new packaging line in 2013.