XBiotech buys automated vial filling machine
To increase its fill finish capabilities
US biotechnology pharmaceuticals manufacturer XBiotech has taken delivery of a new high throughput filling machine that will be used to increase its fill finish capabilities dramatically.
The fully integrated system is designed to fill, stopper and crimp vials, which is the final step in the manufacturing process. The unit also contains an in-line feed back loop and a laser scanning system to provide a high level of quality compared with less sophisticated filling systems.
XBiotech says the high-speed equipment will allow for an entire lot of drug product to be filled in hours, rather than batching and filling over days with the current process. The equipment will allow for production of more than two million units of drug product annually, which the company claims is enough to support the launch of its commercial production operation.
Josh Combs, XBiotech's Vice President of Manufacturing, said: 'This system will allow us to manufacture our drug for a global market, and provide the highest level of quality attainable with a filling system, further solidifying our path to commercialisation.'
