Aesica Pharmaceuticals has doubled development capacity at its site in Queenborough, Kent, UK, giving it the capability to manufacture multiple drug products up to Phase III clinical trials.

The contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) said it can now develop and manufacture products from early formulation development through clinical production and into commercialization, offering a seamless end-to-end service to customers.

In January 2016, Aesica relocated its development and clinical manufacturing services from Nottingham to Queenborough as part of its strategy to align its service from a single source.

Aesica said the new center has also significantly extended its high potent and controlled drugs service. The site can handle potent drugs for any active up to SafeBridge category 3, together with controlled drugs, with licenses for both schedules 2 to 4. SafeBridge is a potency classification scheme for APIs, ranging from low (category 1) to high (category 4).

Ian Muir, Aesica’s managing director, said the additional capacity and services was a response to growing customer demand and part of its ongoing strategy to simplify the supply chain by combining its sources into a single location. He commented: “High potency is a key contract services market, with strong growth potential, requiring a mix of highly specialized and advanced technological skills and capabilities.”

Aesica said it still offers semi-solid development and inhalation services will continue with access to technology and knowhow, including metered dose inhalers and dry power inhalers provided by Bespak within the Consort Medical Group.