Particle Sciences and HORIBA Instruments Form Strategic Relationship

BETHLEHEM, Pa., Feb. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Particle Sciences, Inc., a leading pharmaceutical CRO, is pleased to announce the establishment of a strategic alliance with HORIBA Instruments of Irvine, CA, which is the U.S. sales and marketing division of HORIBA Limited of Kyoto, Japan.  This alliance assures that both client bases are provided with a total solution, combining the most up-to-date physical characterization tools with operational expertise in a fully GLP/GMP compliant setting.

Under the arrangement, the full array of HORIBA characterization tools will be available at Particle Sciences.  Dr. Robert Lee, Vice President of Pharmaceutical Development at Particle Sciences states, "The need for particle size analysis and physical characterization in general is growing rapidly within this highly regulated environment.  Particle Sciences is a world leader in particulate formulations and drug/device combination products.  We looked for a partner that shared the same commitment to quality and innovation and HORIBA fit the bill."

With this in place, HORIBA clients will have a resource that can both develop and perform characterization under cGLPs and cGMPs.  According to Dr. Mike Pohl, HORIBA's Vice President, "Our client base ranges from startups to the largest multinational Pharma and Biotech companies.  For a variety of reasons, we are often asked if we can recommend a site familiar with pharmaceutical development at which they could have work performed.  We have worked with Particle Sciences for some time and have been impressed with their facility and their team.  By entering into this relationship, we can ensure that our clients not only gain access to the most advanced technology, but also that the operators are highly trained to use the instruments to their fullest capability."

Dr. Lee adds, "Particle Sciences is committed to remaining one of the premier drug delivery development services providers.  We offer a broad array of drug delivery technologies and routinely work on atypical dosage forms.  It's critical that our analytic and characterization capabilities keep pace with our formulation expertise.  Additionally, as our clients scale to clinical and ultimately commercial processes, we need to ensure the methods we develop are phase appropriate and based on readily available techniques.  HORIBA is the world's largest instrument manufacturer with the most complete product offering and can now provide the level of security our clients deserve."

Dr. Pohl asserts, "Many pharmaceutical customers are located along the East Coast.  The combination of our Edison, NJ headquarters plus the Bethlehem, PA location of Particle Sciences, Inc., gives HORIBA a strong one-two punch to support these customers.  Services ranging from sample analysis, customer support, and full consulting services will now be readily accessible to our customers."

The HORIBA Group of worldwide companies provides an extensive array of instruments and systems for applications ranging from automotive R&D, process and environmental monitoring, in-vitro medical diagnostics, semiconductor manufacturing and metrology, to a broad range of scientific R&D and QC measurements. Proven quality and trustworthy performance have established widespread confidence in the HORIBA Brand.  

Particle Sciences is an integrated provider of drug development services.  Particle Sciences has deep expertise in micro and nano-particulate drug delivery technologies and drug/device combination products with additional specialized capabilities in topical and mucosal drug products.  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 [email protected] or contact us at (610) 861- 4701 for information.

SOURCE Particle Sciences Inc.