Oct 12 2017
Jun-Kai OOI, Technical Engineer PSL Asia-Pacific demonstrates the latest GFD® bench top Lab Filter Dryer (Credits: Microsphere Summit)
On Tuesday 26th September, Powder Systems Limited (PSL) hosted the 2017 Microsphere Summit at the prestigious Shilla Hotel in Seoul, South Korea.
This innovative Microsphere Summit, the first of its kind in Asia! Has been a huge success for everyone involved.
Over 75 attendees from 10 countries travelled to the Summit to celebrate the latest process technologies and reflecting the global interest in the South Korean pharma market. Appealing to both academia and representatives from leading international pharmaceutical groups looking for insights into this growing industry.
The aim was to provide solutions to overcoming the typical manufacturing challenges associated with microsphere production, which is experiencing growing demand due to its revolutionary applications. These biodegradable particles work as miniature time release capsules for parenteral drugs, treating various conditions from cancer to diabetes and mental illness.
This surge in international companies wanting to partner in Korea reflects a flourishing South Korean pharmaeconomy, which, in recent years, has become the 3rd largest pharma region in Asia, with a forecasted growth from $18.6 billion in 2016 to $20.4 billion in 2020.
In 2014, PSL hosted the very successful Microsphere Summit at their UK headquarters. The event focussed on manufacturing processes and introducing technologies. With Korea becoming one of the major hottest spots for Microsphere Production relocating this event in Seoul seemed the logical next move.
During the 2017 Summit key speakers from the industry and PSL’s own team of experts, reviewed and discussed the challenges encountered by pharma manufacturers when formulating microsphere drugs. Delegates were given exclusive access to invaluable expertise in process development, how to optimize processing and an in-depth analysis of the future for polymeric microsphere drug delivery devices.
Pharmaceutical drug manufacturers are facing new challenges during process scale-up from R&D stage to commercial formulation of microsphere drugs. Suspended microspheres obtained from various micro encapsulation processes require unique aseptic handling that differs from typical challenging sieving and nitrogen drying operations.
18 years ago, PSL developed the first sterile filtration unit for microsphere formulation with a leading process development organisation in the US and since then their process experts have designed and installed projects all around the world for many global customers.
Microspheres are random in size and need to be filtered and classified into the micron size desired before drying. The MSR™ MicroSphere Refiner™ range from PSL has been designed to meet the suitable criteria for formulation of this advanced manufacturing process from small scale up to production.
In 2016, PSL received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in recognition of the innovative MSR™ MicroSphere Refiner™ and was also presented with the Best Mechanical Processes Award at the 2015 ACHEMA Innovation awards.
For more information on the Summit in South Korea and the PSL Microsphere Product Range please email [email protected]