The BioPharma Solutions (BPS) business unit of Baxter International is about to benefit from an expansion of its sterile fill/finish manufacturing facility in Halle/Westfalen, Germany. The company’s division is focused on working with pharma and biotech partners to develop and manufacture parenteral products.
Outsourcing-Pharma connected with a Baxter spokesperson, who told us the expansion is in line with the company’s goal of assisting pharmaceutical and biotech clients meet their commercialization objectives.
“This investment will ensure we can effectively address the current and future needs of our clients,” the spokesperson noted. “This expansion will add equipment to help products achieve stability and shelf life through lyophilization (freeze-drying) and also add an aseptic syringe filling line, two capabilities that are important to our clients.”
They added that pre-filled syringes constitute “one of the fastest-growing choices for unit-dose medication, especially for vaccines and self-administered medications.”
According to the company, construction is slated to kick off in 2022, with a projected completion date sometime during 2024. Upgrades to the facility include growing the manufacturing footprint.
Pre-filled syringes are popular thanks to a range of potential benefits, including greater overall efficiency, as well as ease of use. Further, the format appeals due to the ability to address patient-safety considerations, such as minimization of microbial contamination and reduced dosing errors.
Marie Keeley, general manager of Baxter BPS, remarked that the expansion will update an already advanced site.
“Baxter’s manufacturing site in Halle/Westfalen is one of the most advanced facilities in our global network and has seen significant growth over the last several years,” Keeley said. “By making this investment, we are building on recent expansions to help ensure this facility can serve our partners at the highest level now and well into the future.”
The BPS Halley/Westfalen site has Baxter’s Halle/Westfalen, Germany site has operated for more than six decades making cytotoxic and potent drugs. The facility offers dedicated clinical development through commercial production with integrated technologies and services, including barrier technology intended to assist in maintaining a high level of containment when needed.
Additionally, the site currently possesses broad sterile manufacturing capabilities and focus areas, complies with cGMP regulations, has dedicated production areas, and is designed to deliver products to market efficiently and rapidly.
The Halle/Westfalen facility was last expanded in 2015; that project added approximately 1,800 square meters of capacity, as well as new technologies intended to keep the site competitive in the manufacture of parenteral oncology therapies. It also incorporated glass throughout, in order to offer improved visibility for workers and visitors. The facility also is involved in numerous collaborative projects that provide sterile manufacturing services for COVID-19 vaccines.