Intertek Acquires Melbourn Scientific

It has expertise in all aspects of characterisation of orally inhaled and intra-nasal products (OINDP) and transdermal devices in addition to services for conventionally delivered medicines. There is an increasing demand worldwide for more patient friendly drug delivery methods for optimum therapeutic efficacy and efficiency and enhanced patient outcomes.

Its formulation services respond to the need for re-formulation of existing products to improve efficacy or extend patent life and to widen the market potential for a given product. Moving from injection to oral inhalation, for example, is a key strategy of many global Pharmaceutical majors to achieve increased market share by improving bioavailability and drug use uptake within a patient population (by improving delivery at the true target) whilst reducing patient trauma.

Located in Royston, near Cambridge, in the UK, Melbourn’s business employs 80 staff. It’s 20,000 sqft facility is Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliant, regularly inspected by the UK Medicines and Health Regulatory Authority (MHRA) and the FDA. The company’s reputation for providing outstanding and responsive customer service along with its specialist skills have fostered loyal customer relationships of which Melbourn is especially proud and which complements Intertek’s existing technical capabilities and culture.

Dr. Andrew Swift SVP Intertek Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals, says "Combining Intertek’s GMP/ GLP pharmaceutical/ biopharmaceutical studies and our advanced capabilities for measuring device/ drug interaction with Melbourn’s expertise in OINDP drug characterisation provides a unique and compelling offering to clients. Adding in our global reach and Regulatory Services, Intertek now offers a comprehensive and global end to end expert service to support drug development which is unmatched by current competitors.”