Quotient Sciences (formerly Arcinova) has recently taken delivery and commissioned the award-winning R1000 Robotic Capsule Filler from life-sciences automation company 3P Innovation.
Technology investments increase the UK’s capacity to manufacture small-molecule and high-potency medicines, with patients set to benefit from accelerated access to targeted drug therapies.
The R1000 includes 3P’s award-winning, patented Fill2Weight micro-dosing technology, which directly supports the optimization of drug substance through direct filling into capsules. With its capability of handling challenging powders with poor flow properties, Fill2Weight enables formulators to bypass the need for excipients, with the associated benefit of avoiding the need for excipient compatibility tests. The result is a significantly faster route through clinical trials and lower overall costs.
Quotient Sciences' (formerly Arcinova) previous manufacturing method for patient-specific drug products involved a non-automated procedure with a production rate limited to 200 units per hour. The installation and commissioning of the new state-of-the-art robotic machine from 3P Innovation increase production to 1000 units per hour, while maintaining the same level of operator labor. The fully automated capsule filler gives the Company an agile manufacturing solution with traceable weight recordings for each capsule.
The installation of this equipment is part of a multi-million-pound investment in the Alnwick, UK facility that aims to create a more responsive approach to producing complex medicines in smaller volumes. Employing digital technologies with automation and machine learning, the Company can produce on-demand therapies for small patient populations.
Stephen Byard, Head of Drug Product at Quotient Sciences - Alnwick (formerly Arcinova) said, “Through continued investment in people and advanced instrumentation, we have reliably expanded service lines to satisfy the increased demands of progressing new medicines through to the clinic faster, without compromising quality." said Stephen Byard, from Quotient Sciences.
Gareth Jenkins, Chief Scientific Officer at Quotient Sciences - Alnwick (formerly Arcinova) added, “Our vision is to improve patient care through transformational technology. We are excited to see our digital medicines manufacturing platform become operational, putting a vision of just-in-time clinical supply one step closer to reality.”