Thermo Fisher Scientific Brings Flexibility And Scalability To Continuous Granulation In Pharmaceutical Industry

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, recently unveiled the Thermo Scientific Pharma Twin Screw Granulator (TSG), the company's first Twin Screw Granulator specifically designed for pharmaceutical applications. Launched at the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) Annual Meeting and Exposition, the Thermo Scientific Pharma TSG eliminates batch variation and decreases ingredient and equipment costs through a continuous mixing process, enabling operators to use smaller, more precise amounts of expensive ingredients.

"We see more international players entering the pharmaceutical market, and those manufacturers are increasingly recognizing the benefits of continuous granulation. As processes are improved and new drugs are brought to market, devices like our Pharma TSG will become the industry standard worldwide," said Alan Swanborough, pharmaceutical applications leader for Thermo Fisher Scientific. "Established pharmaceutical companies can also realize the competitive benefits of these enhanced technologies. As our customers demand more flexible, on-demand equipment, we'll be there to deliver, and will remain committed to helping them accelerate the transition from batch mixing to continuous processing."

The Thermo Scientific Pharma TSG eliminates the need for large, expensive single-batch equipment and offers operators a more flexible and accurate method of pharmaceutical production. Key features of the solution include:

• Removable components: barrel liners and screws can be completely removed from the granulator for thorough cleaning
• High free volume: unique design improves the intake for low density or difficult-to-feed active pharmaceutical ingredients (API)
• Reduced scale-up risks: users run production on the same equipment as development, and can utilize a 16mm Thermo Scientific Pharma TSG to replace 3 – 60 liter batch granulator (a 24mm Pharma TSG will match the performance of 300 – 600 liter batch processors)
• Reduced in-process inventory: minimizes risks to expensive ingredients and from ATEX hazards

Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has encouraged facilities to upgrade to continuous granulation processes to maintain consistent product quality and enhance pharmaceutical safety for consumers. The Thermo Scientific Pharma Twin Screw Granulator offers manufacturers a flexible and cost-efficient method of upgrading their production lines to follow FDA recommendations and remain competitive in the growing global pharmaceutical industry.

Thermo Fisher Scientific will display the Pharma TSG in its booth #709 at the AAPS Annual Meeting and Exposition in San Diego, CA from November 11-15, 2007. The Thermo Scientific Pharma Twin Screw Granulator is backed by Thermo Fisher Scientific's worldwide service and support network. For more information visit: www.thermo.com/twinscrew.

Thermo Fisher Scientific successfully supports a wide range of industries with its comprehensive Thermo Scientific Material Characterization solutions. These products analyze and measure viscosity, elasticity, processability and temperature-related mechanical changes of plastics, food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and coatings, plus a wide variety of liquids or solids. For more information, please visit www.thermo.com/mc.

Thermo Scientific is part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, the world leader in serving science.

About Thermo Fisher Scientific
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is the world leader in serving science, enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. With an annual revenue rate of more than $9B, we employ 30,000 people and serve over 350,000 customers within pharmaceutical and biotech companies, hospitals and clinical diagnostic labs, universities, research institutions and government agencies, as well as environmental and industrial process control settings. Serving customers through two premier brands, Thermo Scientific and Fisher Scientific, we help solve analytical challenges from routine testing to complex research and discovery. Thermo Scientific offers customers a complete range of high-end analytical instruments as well as laboratory equipment, software, services, consumables and reagents to enable integrated laboratory workflow solutions. Fisher Scientific provides a complete portfolio of laboratory equipment, chemicals, supplies and services used in healthcare, scientific research, safety and education. Together, we offer the most convenient purchasing options to customers and continuously advance our technologies to accelerate the pace of scientific discovery, enhance value for customers and fuel growth for shareholders and employees alike. Visit www.thermofisher.com .

SOURCE: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.