Speciality Chemicals Magazine SEP / OCT 2023 | Page 13

NEWS

Two invest in flow chemistry

CDMOs Axplora and Flamma have both made announcements about investments in flow chemistry , with the former completing the installation of a new cGMP pilot unit at Leverkusen , Germany , and the latter investing about $ 2 million in flow , starting with the installation of a new suite of equipment from Microinnova at Chignolo D ’ Isola , Italy .
Axplora said that its new unit has highly flexible equipment that allows it to operate at a broad range of temperatures ( -50 ° C to 200 ° C ) and pressure up to 40 bar . The reactor configurations are adapted to the specific requirements of the process so as to “ optimise the control and productivity of highly demanding reactions ”, the firm said .
This continues investment in differentiating and specialised technologies by Axplora ’ s predecessor companies . In 2013 , Novasep established a dedicated research platform at Chasse-sur-Rhône , France , to develop methodologies for efficient process development under continuous flow conditions . Hazardous chemistry is the core competence of the Leverkusen site , which was part of PharmaZell .
Flamma ’ s new production system equipment will be introduced later this year as part of previously announced
Flow chemistry unit at Axplora
plans to invest about $ 200 million at its sites over the next three years . It was designed and built to be partially modular , allowing for the exchange of reactor modules in order to increase flexibility .
“ Flamma has been quietly growing our continuous flow capabilities over the past several years ”, said Massimo Verzini , head of global R & D . “ This new technology will provide the ability to work at a higher pressure more easily than a batch process as well as take advantage of a green process with recycling .”

Minafin has bought Delmar

Minafin , owner of Minakem , Pennakem , Minagro and related brands , has revealed that it acquired Montréalbased Delmar in July . Terms were not disclosed . Delmar ’ s site , which will be rebranded Minafin Montréal , employs 100 and is approved by the US FDA and other regulatory agencies for API manufacture
This gives Minafin a base in North America for the first time , with new R & D , scale-up and commercial manufacturing resources . These will be integrated with sites at Beuvry-la-Forêt and Dunkerque in France , and Louvain-la-Neuve , Belgium , within the Industrial Department of the Health Chemicals Division . Delmar also has a portfolio of generic APIs .
Minafin added that the site “ adds significant R & D capabilities , with an experienced team and a wellequipped laboratory , supported by substantial analytical development resources ”. It has 174 m 3 of reaction capacity , a plant dedicated to corticosteroid synthesis , manufacturing permits for controlled substances and veterinary AIs .
SEP / OCT 2023 SPECCHEMONLINE . COM
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