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On Wednesday 29th May, NEPIC held a Best Practice visit with our ‘Manufacturer of the Year’, Billingham-based FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies.

Guests toured the world class microbial biologics manufacturing facility before hearing about the firm’s HVAC systems and some of the engineering and regulatory challenges they have encountered. FUJIFILM’s openness and collaborative approach was greatly appreciated by the pharmaceutical manufacturers represented in the room that included Arcinova, Piramal, MSD, Sterling Pharma Solutions and GSK.

Our GSK representative from the Barnard Castle site also delivered a presentation on a predictive HVAC commission system that had been inspired by their collaboration with the F1 company McLaren. This Pressure Cascade Simulation model will help with the commissioning and validation of their new £94m robotic fill-finish facility.

The plant tour and two presentations stimulated much discussion about HVAC systems, and other pharmaceutical manufacturing issues, between all attendees, each with useful experience to share.

It is a tribute to both FUJIFILM Diosynth and GSK that they were prepared to share best practice with other regional pharmaceutical manufacturers. NEPIC plans to hold further best practice visits in the future to harness the spirit of cooperation that exists between our pharmaceutical manufacturing members.