BASF's Business Unit Pharma Ingredients & Services has entered into a cooperation with GEA Niro, which will allow BASF to make cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practice) spray drying tests and pilot productions of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) at GEA Niro's Pharma Test Station in Copenhagen. GEA Niro's Pharma Test station is one of the most advanced and versatile cGMP spray drying facilities worldwide.

Spray drying is an important technology to improve the bioavailability of poorly soluble APIs. The spray drying technology can be applied in pharmaceutical production to obtain several benefits including increased bioavailability, controlled release or taste masking, and to produce fine powders for inhalation or other applications. Through this alliance, BASF will add spray drying of APIs and formulations to its offerings as a provider of custom synthesis services for small molecules to the pharmaceutical industry.

By combining BASF's state of the art custom synthesis capabilities and expertise in excipients with GEA Niro's spray drying know-how and cGMP facilities, BASF has created a unique value proposition for its pharmaceutical customers.