| SWECO PharmASep Reduces Parenterals Processing From Multiple Machines to One |
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| CONTACT: |
Jeff Dierig
SWECO
(859) 371-4360
jeff.dierig@sweco.com |
February, 2003
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Florence, Kentucky - SWECO, a leading separation technology company, recently announced the installation of a SWECO PharmASep filter/dryer at Laureate Pharma L.P.’s manufacturing facility in Totowa, New Jersey. The new processor eliminated the need for multiple machines in the filtration and drying of bulk microparticles, reduced the risk of contamination and cut their capital outlay significantly.
 In the original process, product passed through a stainless-steel filter where the solids were separated from liquids. Caked material was then manually removed from the filter under aseptic conditions and dried in a Class 100 clean room, using HEPA filtered air. Finally, using a stainless steel sifter, the dried product was run through an augur into a rotating cylindrical sieve that separated the product by particle size.
"We had to find a better process, one that would eliminate the manual transfer and open processing operations and reduce product loss," explained Ernie Tyler, Laureate’s Senior Director of Parenteral Production. "When I discovered that SWECO’s PharmASep could filter and dry in one pressurized machine, I knew we had hit on something big."
The PharmASep utilizes a sealed pressure vessel design that reduces the opportunity for contamination. The vessel also has a highly polished, crevice-free interior to facilitate extremely high-yield product recovery. The original processing equipment had to be disassembled for cleaning, but the SWECO PharmASep processor is cleaned in place (CIP) and steam sterilized in place (SIP).
"SWECO has continued to improve the performance of the PharmASep since the original prototype," continued Tyler. "The wall thickness of the vessel was increased to improve durability, the product discharge port was redesigned to increase product yields and the screens were strengthened, so they can now be used for several batches, instead of just one."
Laureate Pharma is a privately held contract manufacturing company with headquarters in Princeton, N.J. The company supports the development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products for small to large pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies.
With more than 60 years of separation technology experience, SWECO serves the pharmaceutical, chemical, food, minerals, paper, and many other industries with a complete line of separation, sizing and milling equipment.
Find out more about the PharmASep...
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used equipment