Finesse SmartFactory™ Platform Featured in Alvotech Opening of New Manufacturing and Lab Facility in Iceland
SANTA CLARA, California, June 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The first installation of Finesse's new SmartFactory platform was featured when Alvotech announced the opening of its state-of-the-art manufacturing and lab facility in Reykjavik, Iceland.
Alvotech, Iceland's powerful new player in biopharmaceuticals, will use this hybrid facility to rapidly expand its production capacity using multiple 1,000 L and 2,000 L single-use bioreactor trains. The facility, located at the University of Iceland Science Park, will leverage cutting-edge automation, enabling Alvotech to produce higher yields, significantly reduce labor and capital expenses, and maintain flexibility in operations management systems.
Finesse is a California-based manufacturer of measurement and control solutions for life sciences process applications. Central to the new Alvotech facility is the introduction of the Finesse SmartFactory platform, which features an open architecture that includes Finesse SmartSystem™ universal controllers. The open architecture allows Alvotech to choose the equipment best suited and priced for its unit operations – regardless of equipment manufacturer. Process flow can be designed in a modular and scalable manner while maintaining quality and regulatory compliance in electronic batch records at the same time.
"The inauguration of this facility signifies another key milestone for Alvotech," said Eef Schimmelpennink, CEO of Alvotech."It perfectly complements our strong R&D platform and provides Alvotech with state-of-the-art, flexible and high-quality commercial scale development and manufacturing capabilities. Putting the plant into operation shows our dedication to be one of the global leaders in the high-growth biopharmaceutical industry."
"Alvotech is capitalizing on the extraordinary flexibility afforded by our SmartFactory open architecture, enabling it to develop and manufacture an impressive line-up of biosimilar products," said Dr. Barbara Paldus, CEO of Finesse.
The flexibility of the SmartFactory lets a user select the level of automation required for each unit operation. Users can also focus simultaneously on the compatibility of single-use materials between upstream and downstream for global process yield optimization.
"The Alvotech facility showcases our latest SMART technology in process control, batch automation and data management," said Paldus. "We provide seamless integration of vessels and skids from three of the top five bioprocessing equipment vendors at a commercial scale.
Moreover, this facility demonstrates the ability to quickly move from upstream to downstream automation without compromising the project budget or timeline."
About Alvotech
Alvotech is a powerful player in the field of biopharmaceuticals, whose current portfolio assets include biosimilar versions of leading monoclonal antibodies molecules. Alvotech is proud to offer its biologics manufacturing capabilities to its partners and to cooperate in the commercialization of its own developed biosimilar pipeline. Its state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, contract manufacturing for biologics and in-house clinical capabilities are just a few of the many reasons why Alvotech is the partner of excellence for biosimilar initiatives. Alvotech is open for partnerships and licenses for its current biosimilar assets worldwide. Learn more about Alvotech at www.alvotech.com and connect with the business development team at collaboration@alvotech.is.
About Finesse Solutions, Inc.
California-based Finesse Solutions has a proven record in providing turnkey, scalable solutions for single-use upstream bioprocessing and has begun innovating in solutions for downstream bioprocessing as well. The Finesse product platform includes state-of-the-art disposable sensors, modular automation hardware and intelligent software that can harmonize data and technology transfer globally. Finesse also offers a complete set of services, including commissioning and validation for rapid and reliable deployment of single-use equipment. For more information, please visit www.finesse.com.
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