LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany, Oct. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Abbott
(NYSE:ABT) today announced the opening of new development
laboratories and a pilot plant facility that will research
groundbreaking technologies and test large-scale production of
newly developed drug formulations. The expansion is part of
Abbott's global drug delivery business, SOLIQS, which is based in
Ludwigshafen.
"Abbott is committed to advancing scientific innovation and
bringing new medicines to patients," said John M. Leonard, M.D.,
senior vice president, Pharmaceuticals, Research and Development,
Abbott. "Innovative drug formulation is critical to the
development of effective new treatments that make a difference
for patients."
"Nearly 40 percent of pharmaceutical compounds never reach the
clinical study phase because they cannot be absorbed in the human
body," said Jorg Breitenbach, Ph.D., senior director of drug
product development and head of SOLIQS. "The SOLIQS expansion
builds on Abbott's expertise in drug delivery technology and
addresses the rising demand for innovative, patient-focused
formulations."
The facility will evaluate new processes to complement its
current proprietary technologies -- Meltrex(TM), Xellex(R),
NanoMorph(R) and smartCrystals(R) -- that target the formulation
of soluble complex pharmaceutical substances. Using the
Meltrex(TM) technology, Abbott developed a new tablet formulation
of its leading protease inhibitor lopinavir/ritonavir (known as
Kaletra(R)), which is the first and only co-formulated protease
inhibitor tablet that does not require refrigeration and can be
taken with or without food -- two important advances in
delivering HIV medicine, especially in developing countries where
disease prevalence is highest. The tablet formulation also
offers the increased dosing convenience of fewer pills (a total
daily dose of four tablets, instead of six soft-gel capsules).
Hendrik Hering, State Minister for Economic Affairs of
Rhineland-Palatinate, joined Abbott at today's opening ceremony
to recognize the company's continued commitment to investing in
research in Germany. In addition to a new Formulation
Development Center, which opened earlier this year at the
company's headquarters, the SOLIQS expansion is part of Abbott's
global investment in facilities and resources to advance its
pipeline.
Scientific Innovation at Abbott
Abbott was founded on the idea that using new technologies and
treatment approaches could dramatically improve the quality of
care for patients. Today, Abbott's 7,000 scientists around the
world are focused on using breakthrough science to develop
effective treatments and solve unmet medical needs. Abbott's
global pharmaceutical research and development organization is
focused on the discovery and development of novel molecular
targets and new drug candidates in the areas of immunology,
oncology, virology, central nervous system/pain and dyslipidemia.
About SOLIQS
SOLIQS is Abbott's global drug delivery business unit focused on
improving the oral bioavailability of poorly soluble substances
and the developing pharmaceuticals with a tailored dissolution
profile. Based in Ludwigshafen, SOLIQS also works on behalf of
third parties.
About Abbott Germany
Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to
the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of
pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals,
devices and diagnostics. The company employs more than 68,000
people and markets its products in more than 130 countries.
Abbott Germany headquarters are in Wiesbaden with around 4,000
staff located at the Wiesbaden, Ludwigshafen, Rangendingen and
Wetzlar sites
For more information about Abbott, visit http://www.abbott.de/
and http://www.abbott.com/.
Source: Abbott
CONTACT: German Media, Franziska Theobald, 06122 - 58 3331, or
All Other Media, Tracy Sorrentino, +1-847-937-8712, or Financial,
Lawrence Peepo, +1-847-935-6722, all of Abbott
Web site: http://www.abbott.com/
http://www.abbott.de/