Piramal Pharma and NewAmsterdam Pharma Expand Oral Solid Dosage Capabilities in Pennsylvania
Expansion of Oral Solid Dosage Capabilities
Piramal Pharma Solutions, a renowned global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), has partnered with NewAmsterdam Pharma Company N.V. to enhance their production capabilities for oral solid dosage (OSD) forms. This significant investment resulted in a new dedicated suite at Piramal's Sellersville, Pennsylvania facility aimed at improving the efficiency of producing fixed-dose combination (FDC) medications, specifically obicetrapib and ezetimibe. This strategic move is anticipated to meet the anticipated high demand for FDC products once they are approved for commercial use.
The New Suite's Features
The newly inaugurated suite represents a multi-million-dollar investment in state-of-the-art equipment and upgrades. It includes a reconfiguration of existing space, transforming it into a specialized facility for producing FDCs. The suite is designed for multi-layer tablet production and is equipped advanced technologies to support key production processes such as granulation, compression, tableting, and coating. This will significantly leverage Piramal's integrated approach to drug development, allowing them to produce medications more rapidly and effectively.
Enhancing Patient Outcomes
The new suite will specifically facilitate the production of NewAmsterdam Pharma's investigational medication, a non-statin cholesterol-lowering drug aimed at reducing LDL cholesterol. The partnership emphasizes the importance of collaboration across multiple facilities; not only is the Sellersville site critical for filling demand, but Piramal’s other facilities in Ahmedabad and Pithampur, India, have also played vital roles in the development and production process. This interconnected strategy showcases how global collaboration can effectively tackle pressing healthcare challenges.
Economic Impact and Future Prospects
This expansion not only strengthens production capabilities but is also set to have positive ramifications for the local economy. Over the next five years, it is projected that the new suite will create more than 20 jobs at the Sellersville facility, directly benefiting the local workforce and economy. Both companies illustrate a shared dedication to enhancing operational efficiency while focusing on patient-centric outcomes. The statement made by Peter DeYoung, CEO of Piramal Global Pharma, highlights this commitment: “This addition will not only enhance our production capacity and speed, but reinforce our commitment to patient centricity, too.”
Douglas Kling, COO of NewAmsterdam Pharma, echoed similar sentiments by describing the investment’s role in ensuring precision and efficiency in manufacturing, which is crucial for meeting future commercial demands. The collaboration's potential benefits extract a double-sided advantage—the companies advance their production capabilities, while patients worldwide stand to gain from improved access to new therapies.
About Obicetrapib and Its Trials
Obicetrapib, the focal point of production in this newly established suite, is a novel, oral, low-dose CETP inhibitor currently being investigated in various Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials. With a design to lower LDL cholesterol effectively, the trials have shown significant LDL-lowering results without substantial side effects. The Phase 3 PREVAIL trial, which commenced in March 2022, aims to assess the potential of obicetrapib in reducing occurrences of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), thus marking its significance in the advancement of pharmaceutical treatment options for cardiovascular diseases.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the joint investment by Piramal Pharma Solutions and NewAmsterdam Pharma sets a precedent in the pharmaceutical industry. It not only represents innovations in drug formulation but also emphasizes the critical interplay between operational upgrades and patient care improvements. As both companies continue to grow and evolve, their commitment to deploying advanced technologies and methodologies in drug production will likely yield positive outcomes for patients and the broader healthcare landscape.