Biotec Services International, a PCI company, completes first phase of EU clinical supplies facility expansion

The specification of the new facility, which adds almost 50% to the company’s clinical trial packaging, storage and distribution capacity, was based on feedback from customers in a client survey earlier this year. As requested by clients, Biotec has increased refrigerated storage and packaging capacity by over 400%, and more than doubled their capacity to handle and store cell therapies and other advanced medicinal products. Furthermore, the company has acquired additional land adjacent to their current site for future capacity and capability expansions.

In addition to the increased capacity, Biotec has also invested in enhancements to their existing operational facilities. For example, by implementing sliding walls between some of their smaller packaging rooms, Biotec is now able to scale up room size to accommodate larger equipment such as automated labelling lines. This capability further enhances the company’s ability to efficiently manage their growing pipeline of Phase III projects.

In September 2014, Biotec was acquired by Packaging Coordinators Inc. (PCI), a global leader in drug development services. Featuring 16 cGMP manufacturing, packaging, storage, and distribution facilities across two continents, PCI is investing in solutions for clients’ difficult development challenges such as temperature-controlled packaging and distribution. The acquisition of Biotec Services and the completion of the Bridgend expansion further demonstrates PCI’s significant ongoing investment in clinical trial supply services. The Biotec site, which specialises in the management of temperature-sensitive products, has expertise in handling products at temperatures ranging from +25ºC down to -196ºC.

Dr Fiona Withey, Managing Director, UK Clinical Services at PCI noted “Biotec’s business has grown as a result of our expertise in the packaging and distribution of temperature-sensitive biopharmaceutical products, and our ability to efficiently manage our clients’ projects regardless of their size. By increasing our temperature-controlled capacity, and designing flexibility into our operations, our recent investments illustrate our continued commitment to these key attributes of our business.”