In a world in which drugmakers must meet a growing diversity of formulation demands, capsule manufacturer Capsugel has won an organic certification for a plant in France that is focused on Europe, considered the largest market for organic products.
The Morristown, NJ, company says it has started with 6 formulations of plant-based capsules with a certification from Bureau Veritas, which it says is recognized by all European Union member countries. The organic seal of approval builds on the company's line of vegetarian products.
The company also said it has expanded its manufacturing network with a new quality control laboratory in South Carolina. Capsugel has invested more than $3 million in the facility in Greenwood, where it will test raw materials and do specialty testing of products from all of its facilities, like the impact on capsules of varying temperatures and humidity in different countries. The facility includes walk-in stability chambers and photo stability chambers.
There has been quite a bit of action in the capsule market recently. Last month, contract drugmaker Patheon said it would buy Mexico's gelatin capsules-and-coatings company Banner Pharmacaps for $255 million, not only for the drug delivery technology, but for broader access to the Latin American market. It picked up four plants in the deal, which is to close by year-end.
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