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Honeywell to control biotech manufacturing processes

  • March 12, 2009
  • Honeywell Process Solutions
  • News

Summary

March 12, 2009 – Honeywell will help a leading specialty biopharmaceutical organization expand its research and development capabilities for creating life-saving medications. Shire Human Genetic Therapies (HGT), a business unit of Shire plc, will use several Honeywell solutions – including Experion Process Knowledge System (PKS), Experion Batch Manager, the OneWireless industrial wireless network and Uniformance Process Historian Database (PHD) – to control manufacturing processes at its new $250-million production facility in Lexington, Massachusetts. Shire HGT is committed to developing, manufacturing, and commercializing therapies for life-threatening genetic diseases. The new facility is scheduled for completion in spring 2010 and will be the largest disposable biotechnology site in the United States. This is a new concept where disposable vessels and tank liners are used to reduce the cost of cleaning and verification of process equipment. The site also will include cell-culture production, a clinical suite, and just-in-time warehousing.“Technology that simplifies scale-up from R&D to commercialized production is critical for biotech facilities to produce as efficiently and reliably as possible,” said Don Wuchterl, Director of Manufacturing, Shire Human Genetic Therapies. “Experion and OneWireless are proven to streamline operations and will provide the flexibility required for a multi-purpose facility such as ours." Shire will use Experion as the primary control platform for the new facility. The system helps operators run production by integrating critical subsystems throughout the plant, providing a single view into the manufacturing process via Experion client operator stations. The processing capacity of the C300 controller will reduce the amount of hardware needed to automate Shire’s manufacturing process, as well as reduce operating costs. Shire will also use one of the newest additions to the Experion product line, Experion Batch Manager. Introduced in 2008, Experion Batch Manager further simplifies operations by allowing manufacturers to quickly execute complex batch recipes reliably in a regulated environment. Additionally, the OneWireless mesh network technology will allow Shire to mount controllers on moveable equipment without having to worry about cabling issues, which can help increase their production flexibility, safety and efficiency. Also, wireless remote operator stations will be used to help reduce the overall number of stations required and eliminate the need for expensive hardened enclosures in environmentally sensitive areas.Honeywell also will provide its Uniformance Process Historian Database (PHD) technology. Uniformance will pull information from Experion and help improve operations by allowing Shire operators to quickly store, retrieve and analyze process control data. The Honeywell solutions are ideal because they adhere to stringent pharmaceutical industry regulations and will allow Shire to scale the overall process control system as it plans for future expansions. “Our technology enables lower production costs so biopharmaceutical producers like Shire can reinvest in research and development and deliver products to market faster,” said Don Maness, regional general manager for Honeywell Process Solutions. “Additional benefits include lower validation costs, faster project implementation and reduced training requirements, all of which help manufacturers achieve operational readiness from day one and drive improved business performance.” Honeywell International is a $37 billion diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell’s shares are traded on the New York, London and Chicago Stock Exchanges. Honeywell Process Solutions is part of Honeywell’s Automation and Control Solutions group, a global leader in providing product and service solutions that improve efficiency and profitability, support regulatory compliance, and maintain safe, comfortable environments in homes, buildings and industry. Learn More

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