Sharing Knowledge To Solve Manufacturing Challenges

By Ed Miseta, Chief Editor, Clinical Leader

Innovation is important in the pharmaceutical world. So much so, in fact, that it was difficult to find a booth at the 2013 BIO International Convention that did not seem to mention it in one form or another. New technologies and processes can often make or break a manufacturing firm. For that reason, contract manufacturer Aesica created the Scientific Advisory Board several years ago. Its purpose was to develop new technologies the company could take to customers. When Aesica realized others could innovate just as well, if not better, it disbanded the Advisory Board in 2011 and formed the Aesica Innovation Board (AIB). To continue to advance the efforts of the board, Aesica recently agreed to join process manufacturing think-tank Britest.

“A goal of the Innovation Board is to differentiate us from our competitors, and identify people or organizations that may be potential partners,” says Barrie Rhodes, director of technology development for Aesica. “We could then offer those resources or technologies to our customers. It was through the innovation board that we first became aware of Britest.”