Centrient Pharmaceuticals boosting statins API manufacturing capacity

Centrient Pharmaceuticals today announced to have started production at its new statins manufacturing unit. With the building of its second dedicated unit on the Toansa site in India now completed. The company will double its statins production capacity that will enable it to meet the growing demand for its sustainably manufactured Atorvastatin and Rosuvastatin Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), a company statement said.

It also said that statins are currently the most prescribed drug class globally for the treatment of high cholesterol and cardiovascular diseases, and are among the top-selling drugs worldwide. The markets for Atorvastatin and Rosuvastatin, in particular, has shown steady growth in the past years, as a result of the continued global prevalence of high cholesterol issues, replacement of older generation statins, and genericisation of the market.

Next to high-quality features like long shelf life and large batch sizes, the company offers security of supply to customers through its dedicated statins production facility and backward integration. Being backward integrated, Centrient is independent from external imports of starting materials. Its enzymatic route of synthesis and patented technology minimise the use of harmful solvents, generate less waste and reduce the company’s carbon footprint by 32 per cent as compared to traditional manufacturers, added the statement.

“With the doubling of our production capacity, we demonstrate our commitment to maintain our leadership position in line with our strategy, and to continue supporting our customers’ business growth. Guided by our brand promise of quality, reliability and sustainability, Centrient’s Rosuvastatin and Atorvastatin offer superior performance in all three areas to the benefit of our customers and the environment,” said Frans Vlaar, Chief Commercial Officer, Centrient.

Ground breaking of the new manufacturing unit started at the end of 2019 and commercial supplies from the new unit will start in mid-2021. With the new manufacturing line being operational and doubling the production capacity, Centrient will be even better positioned to secure supply, meeting the growing demand from customers and helping to improve the lives of patients who are in need of these medicines, the statement said.

“We are extremely proud that we have been able to complete this project in a timely way given the challenges of executing such a complex project in the midst of the COVID pandemic,” said Jim McPherson, Chief Quality and Technical Operations Officer.

He added, “It reinforces our absolute commitment to meet the expectations of our customers as a partner of choice – delivering reliable and secure supply using leading sustainable technologies. The facility incorporates design features that allow further improvements in GMP and energy utilisation, and enable greater automation for improved process control.”