Taylor Pharmaceuticals Begins Lyophilization Expansion

<%=company1%> (Decatur, IL) has begun expansion of its sterile product manufacturing facility, which includes the installation of world class, automated, lyophilization equipment for the freeze drying sterile solutions.

The expansion of the existing facility adds freeze-drying to Taylor's existing pharmaceutical contract services in the manufacture of sterile solutions and ointments. The expansion involves the building of a dedicated, 10,000-square-foot wing which will include a component preparation laboratory, formulation bay, integrated high speed washing and depyrogenation tunnel and class 100 aseptic filling suite, with high speed filling equipment, terminal sterilization equipment, and full scale commercial lyophilization chambers, with automated trayless chamber loading, capable of freeze-drying both aqueous and non-aqueous formulations.

Taylor Pharmaceuticals headquarters in Decatur, IL.

"The expansion will pretty much focus on lyophilization," said business development manager Tom Handel. "There is a recognized worldwide shortage of lyophilizaiton chamber space, especially among contract manufacturers. Our senior management noted this trend several years ago and began to address the shortage. In addition, lyophilization rounds out our company's capabilities to develop and manufacture sterile solutions and ointments. Before this we had no lyophilization capability at all."

Taylor plans to hire 30 new workers to operate the freeze-drying facility, among them "several key management and development personnel" with extensive experience in lyophilization.

In addition to the lyophilization capability, the expansion will also add approximately 50% additional capacity for the manufacture and terminal sterilization of liquid filled vials in response to the increasing demand for outsourcing services. Development scale lyophilization equipment is scheduled to be fully installed and qualified by late 1999 with the commercial lyophilization equipment expected to be completely qualified for use in late 2000.

A worldwide shortage of lyophilization chambers prompted Taylor to build its own.

Taylor specializes in contract manufacturing and development of sterile solutions for otic, ophthalmics, and parenterals, as well as ointments for topical and ophthalmic application. Taylor provides formulation andmethods development, methods/process validation, feasibility to commercial manufacturing, labeling and packaging, and shelf life surveillance services. Taylor has active projects with between 45 and 50 pharmaceutical and biotech clients, according to business development manager Tom Handel.

For more information: Thomas Handel, Executive Director of Business Development, Taylor Pharmaceuticals, 150 South Wyckles Rd., Decatur, IL 62522. Tel: 217-428-1100, ext. 156.

By Angelo DePalma