Sharp completes relocation to $23 million clinical services facility in Bethlehem, PA

Sharp – a part of UDG Healthcare plc, a global leader in contract packaging and clinical supply services, has completed its relocation to its $23m state-of-the-art facility in Bethlehem, PA.

Analytical ServicesFormulation developmentInteractive Response Technology (IRT)Clinical manufacturingPackagingClinical storageDistributionFrank Lis, president of Sharp Clinical Services, said:

“With the capabilities on offer at Bethlehem we provide greater capacity, scalability and automation to our clients and can simultaneously support multiple global phase III studies.

“With the Bethlehem facility, we’ve co-located our industry leading clinical services at one site – this dramatically reduces the risks, costs and supply chain complexity for our clients as we support them through development and every trial phase.

“Sharp has also added small scale commercial packaging capabilities to the Bethlehem site which enables seamless scale-up to commercialization for our clients.”The Bethlehem development has 1.5 million cubic feet of clinical services capacity on a 14-acre -site and increases pallet space for both cold and controlled-temperature storage by approximately 50%.

Sharp plans to expand capacity and introduce new capabilities at the site with automated syringe assembly/labeling, automated vial labeling and automated pouch filling as part of a global $1m-plus equipment investment plan.

Investing in the Bethlehem site is consistent with Sharp’s strategy of capacity expansion and developing strategic partnerships to support current clients and meet future demand.

The company has invested significantly in its global facilities over recent years including $11 million on its new Clinical Services Centre of Excellence in Wales, and the same amount on enhancing its injectable and cold chain capabilities in the US, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Sharp also recently announced a preferred partner agreement with Berkshire Sterile Manufacturing (BSM). The relationship enables Sharp to augment its services with 100% isolator-based sterile filling for syringes, vials and cartridges for the biotech and pharmaceutical industries.