Avista Pharma Solutions has initiated a significant expansion and enhancement of its contract testing facility in Agawam, MA. This facility offers microbiology and analytical chemistry testing services as well as cleanroom services—supporting environmental monitoring, qualification and certification.

Expansion of the 26,000-square-foot facility includes a new microbiology laboratory equipped with isolator technology for sterility testing and expansion of the analytical footprint along with a laboratory support area with new autoclaves and glassware washers. Services offerings include raw material and finished product release testing, ICH stability and storage, container closure integrity testing (CCIT), water system testing and validation, cleanroom monitoring and risk assessments, microbial identification via both MicroSEQ ID (rapid 16S rDNA sequencing) and Vitek MS (MALDI-TOF), mycoplasma testing, antimicrobial effectiveness testing (AET), microbial enumeration testing (MET), endotoxin and bioburden testing and disinfectant efficacy qualifications. The new sterility testing via isolator technology adds to the expanding service offerings for pharmaceutical manufacturing clients with facility expansion expected to be completed by June 2016.

“We remain committed to providing best-in-class microbiology, analytical chemistry and cleanroom services,” said Patrick Walsh, chief executive officer, Avista Pharma. “This expansion will complement our existing capabilities and will expand our industry-leading services for pharmaceutical and medical device clients.”