Asymchem Laboratories has opened its high potency Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) and Drug Product facility in TEDA Tianjin, China.

The dedicated facility is located at Asymchem's TEDA Tianjin 1 location, and provides state-of-the art containment for production of potent API's, as well as tablet and capsule manufacturing that incorporate potent ingredients. The new facility allows Asymchem to operate two separate API manufacturing trains of 50 and 100L, as well as additional facilities for smaller-scale research and production and oral dosage form manufacturing.

"We are pleased to expand our capabilities in process research and manufacturing into the potent compound arena, and provide our partners with cost-effective and quality-driven means for undertaking this type of work in China," said Dr. Hao Hong, Asymchem's chief executive officer.

Also, the company has named Dr. Chris Huber to the role of director of Chemical Development. Dr. Huber has more than 15 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, developing process technology for API manufacturing of small molecules. Prior to Asymchem, Dr. Huber directed early phase projects for API manufacturing at Achaogen and Arena Pharmaceuticals. Much of his career was spent in Pfizer and legacy companies in process chemistry, with focus on optimization, characterization and validation of Phase III processes in preparation for commercial manufacturing of API.

In his new role, Dr. Huber will help expand and strengthen Asymchem's pilot scale-up, tech transfers and production efforts into commercial manufacturing. He will report directly to Dr. Jim Gage, vice president of Chemical Development.

"I am very pleased to have Dr. Huber on board to help expand and strengthen Asymchem's already well-established large scale manufacturing services," Dr. Hong remarked. "With his broad experience in the pharmaceutical industry and proven track record of API manufacturing, I am confident that our commercial capabilities will be further strengthened and solidified."