Improvements will include a new advanced isolated high-speed fill-finish vial line, which includes biosafety level 2 (BSL-2) containment as well as two lyophilizers for the high-speed fill-finish and an isolated flexible filling line for vials, syringes and cartridges to support smaller-batch advanced therapies.

The flexible filling line and high-speed fill-finish vial lines are planned to be operational in 2025.

Backing the expansion project designed to support the domestic production of injectable medicines are US preparedness authorities such as Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), both part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as well as the Department of Defense and the US Army Contracting Command’s Joint Covid Response Division.

The US state of New Mexico is also supporting the expansion through assistance from the Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) job creation fund, and Curia can expect state assistance for employee job training. The CDMO said the expansion will allow it to make a greater contribution to the production of vaccines and treatments.

Author: Dede Williams, Freelance Journalist