ABB completes validation

ABB have validated a £45 million research and development facility for AstraZeneca Pharmaceutical Development Facilities (PDF) in Charnwood, Leicestershire. The AstraZeneca PDF project encompassed equipment and utilities, from initial design through installation to commissioning. The aim was to achieve independent validation that ensured critical equipment and utilities met design briefs and complied with relevant international standards. The site will provide supplies of potential new medicines for worldwide clinical trials, with a focus on new treatments for respiratory and inflammatory diseases. It will also develop the processes required for subsequent transfer to large-scale manufacture. It will deliver small-batch trial samples of solids, liquids, steriles and such products as metered dose inhalers. In validating the site, the ABB team had to assess equipment ranging from balances, autoclaves and other everyday laboratory tools through to the most ovens, coaters and freeze-dryers. Support facilities were also under close scrutiny. This covered such areas as environmental monitoring and gas detection, compressed air systems and heating, ventilation and air conditioning.