Vectura expands capabilities to develop highly potent inhaled drugs

The expansion will enable the CDMO to widen the nature of inhaled drug development projects it can undertake for customers

The project will include the installation of six new containment isolators, housing development manufacturing equipment for dispensing, blending, co-milling, jet-milling, spray-drying and blister-filling, into a newly modelled product development manufacturing laboratory.

Vectura expects to complete the installation and validation of all equipment early in 2021.

The new facility will increase the containment capabilities at the site, and allow Vectura scientists to safely handle APIs with an occupational exposure limit (OEL) as low as 0.1 µg/m3.

The isolators will allow flexible set up of equipment within them, widening the nature of inhaled drug development projects that can be undertaken for customers.

Many inhaled drugs, targeting, for example, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), rely on high potency because of the small doses delivered. This investment, according to Geraldine Venthoye, Vectura’s Chief Scientific Officer and EVP Product Development, therefore, is "crucial to ensure we have the physical capabilities to go alongside our scientists’ expertise to develop medicines and treatments in the future".

Vectura’s facility at Chippenham is a key inhalation development site, leveraging differentiated technology and skills to enhance the delivery and performance of inhaled products, from high quality generic alternatives to novel therapies for customers.