Vetter Packages Success With New Facility
Vetter, one of the world's leading providers of aseptically pre-filled injection systems, has completed the installation of six automatic packaging lines at the company's new packaging services facility, Vetter Secondary Packaging (VSP). The Ravensburg-based packaging facility allows Vetter to double its production capacity and provide customers with a variety of state-of-the-art packaging options from a single location.
With the capacity to handle a number of packing operations, including hand-packing, pen assembly, auto-injectors, safety devices, automatic setting of plungers, labeling, and blistering, Vetter increases its ability to serve customers by reducing their time to market. According to Vetter Managing Director, Thomas Otto, VSP fulfills one of the company's long-term strategies of meeting industry demands and future challenges. "Due to increasing economic and regulatory pressures, secondary packaging is becoming a critical issue for our customers," said Otto. "Vetter's new facility increases available capacity and enhances the range of services we can provide. In addition, it gives us the ability to perform all processes, from support in the early development phase to commercial manufacturing and even secondary packaging, at the highest quality and safety levels."
VSP features optimal conditions for pharmaceutical finishing, including a classified hygienic manufacturing area boasting the highest quality and safety standards. Designed according to the latest GMP specifications, VSP's optimal layout and design ensures the best possible protection from mix-ups and contamination and contains ventilation systems and building technology adapted to the climatic requirements of customers' active substances.
"What makes VSP particularly advanced is the complete automation of all steps on the finishing lines, including labeling, plunger installation, blistering, packing, and transport from one station to the next," said Otto. "Compared to conventional procedures, VSP allows twice the number of systems to be assembled in half the time."
VSP also includes unique finishing areas for packaging with especially strict cosmetic guidelines. Labeling and blistering are done under laminar flow and kept separate from other finishing processes, resulting in packaging systems that meet the highest requirements for cosmetic purity.
Initial planning for VSP began in mid-2006 and the building was completed in the fall of 2008. During the past several months, Vetter has installed six automatic packaging lines, completing the entire project in less than 36 months. Future expansion plans of VSP have been included in the concept and implementation of the new facility and can be carried out without interrupting operations.
About Vetter
Vetter is an independent international specialist in the aseptic filling of syringes, cartridges and vials. Based in Ravensburg, Germany, Vetter also produces its own injection systems, such as the Vetter Lyo-Ject® dual-chamber syringe. With about 1,900 employees worldwide, Vetter holds nearly 140 patents and has longstanding experience in handling client products and processes approved by the FDA, the EMEA and other authorities. In 2007, the company also received the go-ahead as a foreign manufacturer for the Japanese pharmaceutical market from Japan's Ministry for Health, Labor and Welfare. Additionally, Vetter has received two awards for its new facility Ravensburg Vetter South (RVS): The Facility of the Year Award 2007 (Process Innovation category) and the European Outsourcing Award 2007 (Most Improved Process/Plant/Facility category).
Vetter Development Service provides support for its pharmaceutical and biotech clients in the early stages of development, from clinical phases and regulatory approval to worldwide product launch. Vetter Commercial Manufacturing handles the entire production process, from compounding and aseptic filling to the final packaging of a product. Vetter Solutions' patented application systems enable clients to compete more effectively throughout the world. For more information, visit: www.vetter-pharma.com.
SOURCE: Vetter Pharma-Fertigung GmbH & Co. KG