Compass Pharma Services LLC is now offering contract pharmaceutical packaging customers new microfilling capabilities for pouches, vials, blister packages and diagnostic medical devices.

“We can now accurately fill as little as 500 mg of powder or 40 microliters of liquid, with an accuracy of as much as +/- 3% using standard filling technologies,” said Mike Castaldo, Compass’ chief technical officer. “This new microfill capability will greatly expand Compass’ services for pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers who need this increasingly important packaging capability.”

According to Mr. Castaldo, the new capabilities are well suited for potent compounds, powders for aerosols or inhalers, and highly purified diagnostic chemicals and reagents for medical test kits.

“We’re seeing strong interest from the pharmaceutical industry, specifically in the development new drug compounds and subsequent clinical trials,” added Tony Fenno, chief operating officer. “Accurate microfilling packaging technology can reduce or even eliminate the need for excipients, which can shorten drug development times by simplifying product stability tests and stability protocols.”

As an added benefit, according to Mr. Fenno, compounds without excipients means there is little start-up or shut-down losses on packaging filling lines, and any valuable or potent drug substances are fully recoverable.