Catalent has announced it is investing up to $40 million at its manufacturing facility in Winchester, Kentucky to increase the site’s formulation and controlled-release tablet and capsule manufacturing capabilities and capacity.

New technologies that are included in the investment include a laser drill for osmotic drug delivery, stick-pack dosage manufacturing capabilities, and roller-compaction and fluid-bed capacity will be increased at the site. Additionally, a spray dryer, used to create amorphous solid dispersions and overcome formulation challenges posed by poorly soluble drugs, will be installed to provide commercial scale-up capacity for projects that progress from early-stage development, and allow technology transfer of projects from Catalent’s development sites, including San Diego and Nottingham, UK. An automated bottling line is also currently being installed, and completion of the various equipment validations is expected over the coming months.

Opened in 1992, Catalent’s Winchester facility provides advanced oral controlled-release drug formulation and manufacturing. The site has produced over three-billion tablets and capsules annually and launched more than 100 new products into the market since its inception. The site underwent a $35-million facility investment in 2015 that doubled its footprint to 180,000 square feet.

Source: Catalent