MSD is the newest member of the Innovative Processing for Specialties and Pharmaceuticals Programme (iPSP), to further research in innovative processing for pharmaceutical and specialty chemicals
Singapore—MSD International GmbH (Singapore Branch), one of the top five leading pharmaceutical companies globally, has joined A*STAR’s Innovative Processing for Specialties and Pharmaceuticals Programme (iPSP). This consortium is led by A*STAR’s Institute of Chemical & Engineering Sciences (ICES), and brings together pharmaceutical and specialty chemicals industry players to address an increasingly urgent need to access emerging next generation manufacturing technologies that provide quantum change improvements in cost, quality, environmental impact and process robustness in high value chemicals manufacturing processes.
Since its inception in July 2013, iPSP has been addressing key challenges in the high value chemicals sector, through a collaborative approach. Its membership has expanded from its three founding members, Pfizer, Glaxo Smith-Kline (GSK) and Siemens, to include technology leaders such as Hellma Analytics, Mettler Toledo and Novozymes, as well as leading academic institutions, National University of Singapore (NUS) and Newcastle University International Singapore (NUIS).
A Winning Strategy for Pharmaceutical and Specialty Chemicals
“The objective of iPSP is to help develop mature process innovation capabilities and an innovation community in pharmaceutical and high value chemicals processing in Singapore. These new technologies will make industrial processes more efficient, safer and greener as well as helping industry to respond better to rapidly changing markets. To do this well, there is a need to develop skilled manpower in addition to improving their manufacturing technology,” said Dr Paul Sharratt, iPSP Director and Manager of the Pharmaceutical Programme in ICES.
Mr John Smith, Managing Director, MMD Singapore said “We see the iPSP as offering us not only a platform for accessing new ideas and technologies, but also a route to better process understanding via their programme of training and seminars as well as opportunities to interact with an experienced multidisciplinary team of researchers and our peers in the industry.”
Leveraging on ICES’ Expertise
Based in ICES’ facility on Jurong Island, the iPSP’s multi-disciplinary team of dedicated, highly skilled researchers from ICES work with the consortium members on a range of pre-competitive projects in the fields of process science, continuous processing and process analytical technologies (PAT), based on the needs and challenges faced by members. Through a better understanding of the industry’s requirements, iPSP will be able to create value-added solutions for the industry.
As part of its manpower development activities, the iPSP runs seminars and workshops on topics such as process intensification and organocatalysis. In addition to conducting four workshops and training sessions in 2014, the consortium organised a highly successful symposium on Process Safety with speakers from industry including renowned expert on process safety, Professor Francis Stoessel, recently retired Head of Chemical Process Safety Consulting of the Swiss Institute for the Promotion of Safety and Security in Basel and originator of the Stoessel criterion, widely used to evaluate the thermal safety of processes. These platforms facilitate discussion of issues in high value chemicals manufacturing processing with the industry. In 2015, iPSP will continue engaging with the industry through courses and events such as a workshop on Small Scale Continuous Processing Technology and the second annual Process Safety Symposium.
Dr Keith Carpenter, Executive Director of ICES, said, “We are indeed very happy to have another strong and reputable company like MSD come on board. The past year has shown that by identifying common research interests, companies across the sector can mutually benefit from joint research, from sharing common manufacturing issues and together charting a way forward. It is also a demonstration that we in ICES, the pharmaceutical manufacturers, equipment companies and instrument developers see ourselves as a community where collaboration is the way to be truly innovative.”
For media queries and clarifications, please contact:
Fazilah Latif
Senior Officer, Corporate Communications
Agency for Science, Technology and Research
Tel: +65 6419 6529
Email: fazilah-latif@scei.a-star.edu.sg
For technical or collaboration enquiries, please contact:
Ms Tan Joo Lett
Tel.: +65 6796 3973
Email: tan_joo_lett@ices.a-star.edu.sg
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