Hovione has expanded its inhalation drug product development services with a new high precision MG2 FlexaLAB capsule filling machine. The investment allows Hovione to offer expanded development services for all inhalation projects from API to formulation, to powder inhalers, to final unit dose, to support Phase II-Phase III trials.
 
The FlexaLAB is capable of filling as many as 3,000 capsules per hour and allows 100% net weight unit verification, according to the company, for increased precision and internal process controls for supporting inhalation development activities.

“We give our customers an edge in inhalation capsule filling for drug delivery to the lung, by providing access to a machine capable of very high precision filling of low doses, down to 5 mg. We are perhaps the only independent company with expertise in every aspect of the inhaled drug development process and this acquisition strengthens our commitment to inhalation drug development,” said Peter Villax, vice president. Hovione is currently executing inhaled drug development projects for a number of pharmaceutical companies, involving API process development, particle engineering, formulation development and clinical supplies.