Expansions

Laupheim, Germany (July 24)—Rentschler Biotechnologie commissioned two new GMP manufacturing suites for producing therapeutic proteins and monoclonal antibodies. The new fermenter lines with 500 L of working volume are sized so different cell-culture processes can be run (batch, fed-batch, or perfusion). The company also is building two new 2500-L multiprocess fermentation suites, the first of which is slated for commissioning in mid-2008. Both can run perfusion processes. The expansion includes a new laboratory building, a central energy station, a logistics space, and additional facilities for sterile filling of syringes and injection vials.

Frankfurt (July 17)—Evotec AG expanded its sterile-pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Glasgow, United Kingdom. The company doubled its capacity for the aseptic GMP manufacture of clinical trial material.

In another development, Evotec AG and Research Support International Limited (RSIL) formed a joint venture in India, Evotec-RSIL Ltd, to design, synthesize, and manage compound libraries as a service. The joint venture will be located in Thane, India.

Research Triangle Park, NC (July 5)—Quintiles Transnational Corp. plans to expand and consolidate its Global Central Laboratories in Smyrna, Georgia, and its Clinical Development Services office in Atlanta, Georgia, within a single structure in nearby Marietta, Georgia. The 201,366-ft², three-story structure in Marietta will more than double the combined space now occupied by Global Central Laboratories in Smyrna and CDS in Atlanta and allow the addition of about 400 jobs through 2011. Renovation of the structure is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2007.

Neuilly-sur-Seine, France (July 5)—Servier, an independent French drug company, opened a new manufacturing center in Sophyno, Russia, to produce brand-name drugs for the local market. The facility, the result of a EUR 40-million ($55-million) investment, is expected to produce 60 million packs and employ more than 180 people.

Surrey, UK (June 27)—NextPharma Technologies announced a $41-million fundraising round, of which $22 million will be invested in expanding the company's injectable-cytotoxics manufacturing site in Braine L'Alleud, Belgium. This investment will more than double the facility's capacity, and the facility will be on line in 2009. NextPharma also acquired Bioserv Corp. (San Diego, CA), a contract manufacturing company.