Omya opens new lab and offers enhanced R&D services

By Omya International AG · 6 Sep 2016

The leading global producer of calcium carbonate sets up a state-of-the-art laboratory for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.

Officially opened on 15^th March 2016, Omya’s new pharmaceutical and nutraceutical laboratory is now operational. The innovative facility at the company’s Swiss headquarters in Oftringen comprises a wet lab for product development, a dry lab for granulation, tabletting and performance analysis, as well as storage and office space. Cutting-edge equipment – including fluid-bed technology, a roller compactor and a rotary tablet press – allows for high-quality mineral research, development and technical customer support.

Until now, Omya has done pharmaceutical and nutraceutical product development with external partners through third-party agreements. However, securing intellectual property rights in collaborations such as these can be challenging. With its own lab, Omya can react to market needs much faster now and ensures legal certainty for both itself and its customers, which is a prerequisite for the company to be able to sell its products without restrictions.  

Of paramount importance for the new laboratory will be developing innovative applications and maintaining ongoing natural minerals research projects. These include the award-winning Omyapharm^®, a Functionalized Calcium Carbonate and ideal excipient that allows granules and tablets with high levels of mechanical strength and fast disintegration times to be produced. Owing to its outstanding properties, Omyapharm^® was selected from 20 shortlisted substances and presented with the 2015 CPhI Pharma Award for most innovative excipient.
“With the new laboratory, we are able to protect intellectual properties and further extend our specialist calcium carbonate expertise. This includes developing new structured minerals that are tailor-made for specific applications or optimizing existing products to meet the changing needs of the industry. Moreover, our experienced team of scientists and technicians is available to support customers regarding product development and ensure shorter times-to-market for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products,” explains Stefan Lander, Vice President Consumer Goods at Omya.

About Omya Group

Omya International AG is a leading global producer of calcium carbonates and a worldwide distributor of specialty additives, premium services and solutions. Founded in 1884 in Switzerland, Omya has a global presence extending to more than 180 locations in over 50 countries with 8,000 employees. Omya provides sustainable added value products and services from responsibly sourced materials to meet the needs of current and future generations. In the Consumer Goods sector, Omya offers innovative solutions based on high purity natural minerals and complementary ingredients complying with the most stringent regulatory and quality standards.