Project aims to improve pharma manufacturing efficiency

CSL (ASX:CSL), Hospira and GlaxoSmithKline have announced a collaborative project that aims to improve productivity at Australian pharmaceutical manufacturing sites.

The project, an initiative of the META network of manufacturers and researchers, aims to generate a 3% productivity boost with a return of investment of up to $2.4 million over a one-year period.

This marks META’s first productivity-focused manufacturing project initiated by the pharmaceutical industry. It is being assisted by a research partner the University of Melbourne, which will provide a team of postdoctoral experts to help apply optimisation methods to facilities.

Hospira’s site in Mulgrave, Victoria, will be the first location to engage in the project.

“The META Biopharma best practice project will implement a full review of our manufacturing process, building up valuable knowledge and performance results relating to material flow, equipment and effective people resource utilisation,” Hospira Mulgrave VP of Operations Andrew Hodder said.

“It’s a real opportunity for a group of pharmaceutical companies who would ordinarily be competitors to come together and share techniques for increasing efficiency, productivity and ultimately, savings.”

The project is expected to be completed this month.

CSL (ASX:CSL) shares were trading 1.83% lower at $85.86 as of around 1 pm on Friday.