Block Engineering Announces Collaborative Agreement With Pfizer Inc. for Next Generation Cleaning Verification Technology

MARLBOROUGH, Mass., Jan. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Block Engineering, the leader in Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) spectroscopy, announced today that it has signed a Collaborative Agreement with Pfizer, Inc. to develop a QCL-based system for real-time, noncontact Cleaning Verification of vessels during pharmaceutical manufacturing. The technology is based on Block's commercially available LaserScan (TM) Analyzer, which will be tailored to address the specific requirements of this application.

Accurate Cleaning Verification of vessels has a significant impact in pharmaceutical manufacturing, due to the potential health risks of cross-contamination between products. Today, in order to ensure that the walls of these vessels meet tough FDA cleanliness standards, swab-based techniques are applied to collect samples and bring them to off-line instruments, such as High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) systems. These measurements typically take several hours or more per vessel during which the vessel usually remains idle. The key value proposition of the proposed technology is to eliminate this bottleneck and provide a handheld, battery-operated, barcode-scanner-like device capable of providing real-time, noncontact verification of the cleanliness of the vessel walls. Using the proposed technology, pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment could be scanned in a matter of minutes and potential areas that require additional cleaning will be identified in real-time without the need to take any samples. Block's device requires no consumables and utilizes next generation, eye-safe QCL-based infrared spectroscopy.

"Cleaning Verification is a critical step in the drug manufacturing process and Pfizer is committed to the development of technologies that could decrease inspection times, reduce costs and improve supply assurance," said Steve Hammond, Head of the Process Analytical Sciences Group (PASG) and Senior Director in the Global Manufacturing Services organization at Pfizer. "Block's groundbreaking technology fits well within Pfizer's Process Analytical Technology (PAT) initiatives and I look forward to working with them towards the development of this instrument."

The expected benefits of this novel approach include a reduction in the labor, material and consumables required today for swab-based verification. Furthermore, significant plant utilization increases can be achieved and drug supply assurances can be confidently offered. Key initiatives in the pharmaceutical industry today for Work-in-Progress inventory reduction and just-in-time-inventory implementation will significantly benefit from the proposed technology, as the manufacturing equipment idle time is reduced.

Petros Kotidis, CEO of Block Engineering commented, "I am very pleased to announce the strategic agreement with Pfizer towards the development of this breakthrough instrumentation. Block's QCL-based infrared spectrometers are opening new markets and Cleaning Verification is one of the most exciting and high impact applications. Pfizer's dominant and pioneering position in the introduction of next generation process analytical technologies will be a critical element in the success of this product."

The fundamental principle behind Block's technology and the currently commercially available LaserScan Analyzer is QCL-based infrared spectroscopy. When infrared light from the QCL reflects off of substances, it gets absorbed or reflected at rates that are absolutely unique to and characteristic of the substance. Therefore, when the reflected light is collected by the LaserScan's built-in detectors, a "fingerprint"-like pattern emerges, which contains all the necessary information for detection or analysis of the substance. Built-in libraries are typically used to pattern and provide real-time detection or analysis. Block's devices use unique QCLs, which cover the widest spectral range in the world within the 5-14 micron range and provide rapid sub-second, real-time measurements in handheld configurations.

About Block Engineering, LLC:
Founded in 1956, Block Engineering, LLC is a leading manufacturer and marketer of high performance Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) and FTIR spectrometers for commercial, industrial, military and government customers. Block's Mobile Chemical Agent Detector (MCAD) system is a fixed site, passive FTIR spectrometer offered in partnership with Northrop Grumman Corp. Block's PORTHOS (TM) is a portable, passive FTIR spectrometer system that remotely detects chemical threats as far as three miles and protects against chemical warfare agents and weapons of mass destruction. Block Engineering is also manufacturing and selling a line of unique QCL-based spectrometers, including the LaserScan Analyzer, for applications ranging from detection of explosives and liquid/solid chemical warfare agents to control of manufacturing operations and verification of surface conditions in a variety of industrial processes.

Block Engineering is located in Marlborough, Massachusetts, USA. For more information, visit www.blockeng.com.

Contact: Scott Riggi, Vice President of Sales, 508-251-3105, scott.riggi@blockeng.com

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SOURCE Block Engineering