Applus+ improves its R+D facilities for the pharma industry

14-12-2010 - Applus+, the leading Spanish multinational in testing, inspection, certification and technological services and one of the ten largest companies of its sector worldwide, has broaden the scope of its services to the pharmaceutical sector through an investment in its fine chemicals’ pilot plant. The objective is to be present in the whole value chain of APIs’ (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients) development. In order to achieve this goal, Applus+ has improved and complemented its facilities and technologies as well as reinforced its team, made by experts in the analysis, R+D+I and commercial areas.

 The new technologies and facilities implemented in the company’s headquarters in Bellaterra will enable pharmaceutical companies to reduce the time required to develop new products. The comprehensive service enabled by these improvements will also reduce costs and risks associated to chemical developments.

 Among the investments being carried out, it is worth underlining the implementation of GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices), which assure the quality standards required by fine chemical companies and the pharmaceutical sector to launch their projects. These GMPs reduce the risk of contamination in products during their handling, packaging and storage. In order to implement these practices, Applus+ has incorporated an ISO 8 clean room, aimed at air quality control, as well as new separation technologies.

Fine Chemistry processes

Applus+ LGAI is the division of Applus+ specialized in testing and certification services. The company works on the scaling of chemical processes in its fine chemicals’ pilot plant carrying out the stages that go from an API production of mere grams –according to laboratory scales– to an industrial production aimed at the commercialization of a new product. Applus+’ investment will contribute to a higher optimization on these processes and to an integral development of all its phases.

Moreover, the investment made by the multinational will accelerate the launching to the market of new products that are still in their R+D stage. This optimization is a key factor for the pharmaceutical sector due to the importance of introducing innovations into the market before its competitors.

Applus+ LGAI has been working with fine chemical companies for more than 15 years. Its newly adopted strategic measures have been very positive and well-welcomed, and there are already several ongoing projects with leading national and international companies of the sector.

Jordi Brufau, Applus+ LGAI General Director, points out that «innovation and research are essential to be competitive in this sector», especially now that the industry in Spain faces the challenge to grow at a two digit rate even though the forecast for this year is between 2 and 3%. «Applus+ works on a strategy to provide comprehensive services, which are really appreciated by the companies at the moment. Customers value the integrality of our services, as evidenced by a renewal rate among our clients of more than 90%», explains Brufau.