Dr. Reddy’s becomes first Indian company to install FlexFactory, a biomanufacturing platform based on single-use technologies
CHALFONT ST. GILES, UK and Bangalore, INDIA – 18 May 2017 – GE Healthcare today announced that Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Limited will install India’s first-ever FlexFactory, a single-use manufacturing platform to expand the biologics production capacity at its facility in Hyderabad, India. FlexFactory will make Dr. Reddy’s biopharmaceutical manufacturing set-up more flexible and efficient, strengthening the company’s position in the global biosimilars market and allowing Dr. Reddy’s to continue increasing patient access across the world for biotech-based therapies.
The new FlexFactory will help Dr. Reddy’s increase its capacity to meet both the expected growth of its currently marketed biosimilars as well as support the launch of a significant portfolio of new biosimilar products in the years to come. With FlexFactory, Dr. Reddy’s will be able to increase its manufacturing capacity swiftly as the overall project set-up timeline for FlexFactory is typically 9 to 12 months.
FlexFactory enables Dr. Reddy’s transition from stainless steel to single-use technologies that bring enhanced flexibility and efficiency into their manufacturing set-up. Single-use technologies facilitate multi-product manufacturing and improve productivity by increasing the number of lots manufactured, as the change over time between products can be reduced by 50% or more.
Cartikeya Reddy, Head, Biologics, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd, said: “We are delighted to be working with GE Healthcare to expand our biologics manufacturing footprint. We strongly believe that the FlexFactory platform from GE will enable us to rapidly ramp-up capacity and serve more patients in both emerging markets and highly regulated markets.” Milind Palsule, Country Manager, South Asia, GE Healthcare Life Sciences, said: “We are pleased to partner with Dr. Reddy’s in their efforts to increase the availability and affordability of biopharmaceuticals globally by bringing single-use, flexible manufacturing capacity to its facility in Hyderabad. India today has one of the fastest growing biopharma sectors in the world and we are keen to support this development and the production capability of Indian pharma players with the latest biopharma technology and know-how.”
About FlexFactory
GE Healthcare’s FlexFactory is a centrally automation integrated, flexible biomanufacturing platform. It allows manufacturers to quickly and seamlessly establish biopharmaceutical manufacturing capacity within an existing building or as part of a new facility. FlexFactory is designed to help manufacturers such as Dr. Reddy’s to rapidly respond to regional healthcare needs and to support to quickly bring lifesaving treatments to the global market. FlexFactory manufacturing platforms are currently in operation throughout the world including Asia, Europe and the United States and offer a consistent platform for collaboration or transplant to other facilities. GE Healthcare’s Fast Trak Center that have sites across the world including Bangalore, India, will be providing training on FlexFactory equipment and technologies for Dr. Reddy’s personnel.
FlexFactory is primarily comprised of single-use technologies and associated process hardware and integrated with automation and control components for start-to-finish manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals. Depending on current processes, FlexFactory can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 75 percent and water and energy usage by approximately 80 percent. More information: http://bioprocess.gelifesciences.com/enterprise-solutions/flexfactory/
About Dr. Reddy’s:
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. (BSE: 500124, NSE: DRREDDY, NYSE: RDY) is an integrated pharmaceutical company, committed to providing affordable and innovative medicines for healthier lives. Through its three businesses - Pharmaceutical Services & Active Ingredients, Global Generics and Proprietary Products – Dr. Reddy’s offers a portfolio of products and services including APIs, custom pharmaceutical services, generics, biosimilars and differentiated formulations. Company’s major therapeutic areas of focus are gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, diabetology, oncology, pain management and dermatology. Dr. Reddy’s operates in markets across the globe and its major markets include – USA, India, Russia & CIS countries, and Europe. For more information, log on to: www.drreddys.com
About GE Healthcare
GE Healthcare provides transformational medical technologies and services to meet the demand for increased access, enhanced quality and more affordable healthcare around the world. GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter - great people and technologies taking on tough challenges. From medical imaging, software & IT, patient monitoring and diagnostics to drug discovery, biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies and performance improvement solutions, GE Healthcare helps medical professionals deliver great healthcare to their patients. For more information about GE Healthcare, visit our website at www.gehealthcare.com.
Media Contact:
Saara Nordenström
Communications
GE Healthcare Life Sciences
T +46 7386 81286
E saara.nordenstrom@ge.com
