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Particle Sciences and Microfluidics Collaborate to Share Formulation and Nanotechnology Expertise for Pharmaceutical Drug Product Development, Analysis and Commercialization

Posted on: Tuesday, 30 June 2009, 12:00 CDT

BETHLEHEM, Pa. and NEWTON, Mass., June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Microfluidics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Microfluidics International Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: MFLU), and Particle Sciences Inc. (PSI) have formed a strategic alliance to help biopharmaceutical companies leverage the most advanced and reliable nanotechnology and formulation methods available to develop, analyze and commercialize Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs).

Particle Sciences is a leading Contract Research Organization (CRO) founded in 1991 with a unique specialization in formulation/delivery, analytic services and clinical trial material (CTM) production. With over 35 scientists holding more than 100 patents, a comprehensive formulations laboratory, cGMP production suites and cGMP analytical/bioanalytical capabilities, Particle Sciences has a solid track record of developing commercializable technologies for companies ranging from early venture-backed to large pharma.

According to Robert W. Lee, Ph.D., Vice President of Pharmaceutical Development at Particle Sciences, "We are solution oriented and not married to a specific platform. Our model is to offer our clients a number of state-of-the-art approaches using best-of-breed, reproducible and scalable technologies. Delivery formats range from solid solutions and combination products to particle suspensions and emulsions. For high shear fluid processing, we settled on the Microfluidizer(R) after a thorough evaluation of the competing alternatives. One area of interest to PSI is adding the Microfluidizer processor to its existing approaches for particle size reduction of poorly water-soluble APIs to the submicron range, which is an increasingly important formulation approach for pharmaceutical API development."

Microfluidizer high shear fluid processors deliver unsurpassed results in uniform and scalable top-down particle size reduction to over 1,100 biopharmaceutical companies worldwide. Combining 25 years of proven processing success with PSI's experience creates a uniquely comprehensive solution portfolio for the Company's pharmaceutical clients. In addition, Microfluidics Reaction Technology (MRT), an innovative technique for bottom-up nanoparticle creation and nanoencapsulation via continuous crystallization and chemical reactions, offers even more possibilities in novel drug development and will also be incorporated into PSI's offerings.

As part of the non-exclusive agreement, Particle Sciences has installed an M-110EH-30 Basic BioPharma Microfluidizer processor ideal for nanoemulsions, nanosuspensions, cell disruption and nanoencapsulation in pilot and production volumes.

"We believe Microfluidizer processors are the undisputed gold standard in the pharmaceutical industry, from the lab to clinical research and production," said Bill Kober, Vice President of Sales, Americas, at Microfluidics. "With several well-known drugs on the market, customers use our processors to reduce particle sizes uniformly, improve bioavailability and target drug delivery. Through this relationship, our users now have access to our technology combined with the scientific ingenuity and experience of Particle Sciences. We are excited to provide a uniquely complete portfolio of solutions for global API research and development."

About Microfluidics

Microfluidics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Microfluidics International Corporation, is a supplier of advanced fluid processing equipment and reaction technology for laboratory, pilot scale and manufacturing applications. The equipment enables the formulation and manufacture of numerous nanomaterials and nanoscale products and produces the most uniform and smallest liquid and suspended solid particles available. Microfluidics has been a worldwide supplier of Microfluidizer(R) high shear fluid processing systems to the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, chemical and cosmetics industries since 1984. As a leader in the field, Microfluidics has enabled numerous companies and institutions to formulate, validate and produce licensed drugs for the worldwide healthcare market. Companies seeking to produce difficult-to-formulate products or to find better methods of bio-processing can take advantage of complimentary sample testing at any of three Microfluidics facilities. Visit www.microfluidicscorp.com, email mixinginfo@mfics.com or contact Microfluidics at (800) 370-5452 for application information.

About Particle Sciences

Particle Sciences is an integrated provider of drug development services. Particle Sciences focuses on emulsions, gels, particulates and drug/device combination products with additional specialized capabilities in topical and mucosal drug delivery. Through a full range of formulation, analytic, and manufacturing services, Particle Sciences provides pharmaceutical companies with a complete and seamless development solution that minimizes the time and risk between discovery and the clinic. The company was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Visit www.particlesciences.com, email info@particlesciences.com or contact us at (610) 861-4701 for information.

Contact: Maureen Cochran, 610-861-4701

SOURCE Particle Sciences Inc.

Source: PR Newswire

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