Akela gives itself opportunities of growthsPHARMAFORM ANNOUNCES CORPORATE UPDATE AND EXPANSION PLANS
09:00 EST Tuesday, Jan 18, 2011
AUSTIN, TX, Jan. 18 /CNW Telbec/ - PharmaForm, a leader in pharmaceutical formulation and clinical manufacturing, today announced several corporate updates including the hire of several key scientists and investment in capital equipment that will allow the company to significantly expand in 2011.
PharmaForm announced today the appointment of J. Blair West, Ph.D., as Vice President of Pharmaceutical Operations. Dr. West brings over 20 years of experience as a senior executive and formulation scientist with expertise in several emerging formulation technology platforms including hot melt extrusion and spray drying. Dr. West previously was employed at Bend Research and Azo Pharma and earned his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Texas A&M University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biochemistry from Harvard University. Feng Zhang, Ph.D. will be transitioning to Senior Formulation Consultant.
In addition, to hiring Dr. West, PharmaForm has recently expanded its Pharmaceutical Operations team, which includes both R&D and cGMP manufacturing functions, and Business Development teams with eight new hires.
PharmaForm also announced today the expansion of PharmaForm's Hot Melt Extrusion (HME) manufacturing capabilities as the Company will be acquiring two new Leistritz Extruders. PharmaForm has ordered a ZSE -18 Twin Screw Extruder as well as a ZSE - 27 Twin Screw Extruder for pilot scale and GMP commercial manufacturing to complement our existing platform of the Leistritz Nano16 and Leistritz ZSE 18 extruders.
"We are extremely pleased to add Blair to our scientific team," stated Gregory M. McKee, President and Chief Executive Officer of PharmaForm. "We believe that Blair, along with our other hires and capital expansion plans will allow PharmaForm to grow significantly in 2011." Mr. McKee continued. "We would also like to thank Dr. Feng Zhang for his years of dedicated service to the Company and wish him great success in his future endeavors."
PharmaForm celebrates its 15th Anniversary as a leader in the pharmaceutical formulation industry in May of 2011.
PharmaForm with its platform of an Anhydro Spray Dryer, Glatt Fluid Bed Processors and Gerteis Mini-Pactor has incrementally grown its spray drying formulation and manufacturing business over the past several years.
PharmaForm remains an industry leader in the formulation of potent compounds and controlled release drug delivery. Working with solid oral dosage (tablets, capsules and film coating) as well as HME novel dosage forms (oral dissolving thin films, transmucosal and oral tablets & Capsules) and creams, emulsions, gels, nasal spray and dry powder inhalation.