ABBOTT PARK, Ill., June 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today Abbott
(NYSE: ABT) officially opens its new Formulation Development Center at the
company's headquarters in Abbott Park, Ill. The new facility provides leading
capabilities for the formulation of new investigational medicines that have
the potential to treat cancer and other deadly diseases. The center's
technology and equipment will help enable Abbott to expedite its development
programs, potentially bringing innovative new pharmaceuticals to patients
faster.
"The new formulation center is a clear example of Abbott's commitment to
advancing scientific innovation," said John Leonard, M.D., senior vice
president, Pharmaceuticals, Research and Development, Abbott. "With the
growing number of compounds in Abbott's pipeline, the new center utilizes the
latest technology to accelerate the development of future medicines."
The Formulation Development Center supports programs for both potent
(drugs with highly active ingredients that require special handling) and
non-potent oral compounds. This includes state-of-the-art capabilities for
the safe formulation of potent compounds, such as cancer therapies, that are
increasingly becoming more effective at low-dose levels.
Abbott's new facility is focused on transforming complex molecules from
the laboratory into tablets and capsules that can be used in pre-clinical and
clinical studies to determine safety and efficacy. Formulation is an
important step in the research and development process, providing a crucial
link between the laboratory and commercial manufacturing. Formulation and
process work begins shortly after a candidate molecule is identified. Initial
formulations are then refined as more information is gathered through the
development process.
The center was specifically designed with cutting-edge equipment and
improvements to advance the R&D process, including automated technologies that
reduce the time for preparing, producing and refining pilot drug formulations.
In addition, all of the equipment in the facility is aligned with the
production equipment in Abbott's commercial manufacturing sites, which will
allow for rapid scale-up of production as drug compounds move toward
late-stage clinical trials and market availability for patients.
"We considered several locations for the new formulation center, but
decided to strategically place the building in the midst of our other Abbott
Park R&D facilities to provide easy access for our scientists, pharmacists and
engineers," said Leonard.
Fast Facts for Abbott's New Formulation Development Center
-- Location: Abbott Park, Ill.
-- Size and structure: Two-story, 64,000-square-foot facility features a
flexible design with modular walls and ceilings that will allow for
rapid future expansion
-- Key Current Formulation Programs: Currently developing oral
formulations (capsule and tablet) for clinical studies involving new
compounds to treat cancer, hepatitis, pain and other areas
-- Investment: $53 million
-- Facility Initiated/Completed: Groundbreaking in June 2005; Completed in
January 2008
-- Personnel: Seventeen dedicated onsite employees; more than 40
additional staff regularly work in the facility
About Abbott
Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the
discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and
medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company
employs more than 68,000 people and markets its products in more than 130
countries.
Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the
company's Web site at http://www.abbott.com.
SOURCE Abbott
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