Group Details For Science and Technology; Bespak - History and Technology

Two senior members of the Bespak technical management team will recount the history of inhalation product development and the key role played by the Holmes Chapel site in making the UK a centre of excellence for the development of treatments for Asthma and COPD.

The talk will focus on:

• How inhalers work and the science behind developing new inhalation formulations.
• How the product has evolved over time, including the industry's transition from CFC propellants to HFAs, and now from HFAs to low global warming potential (low-GWP) propellants.
• Why the industry must change propellants, including environmental considerations, evolving legislation, and regulatory requirements.
• What these changes mean for patients, with a focus on continuity of supply, the differences between dry powder inhalers (DPIs) and metered dose inhalers (MDIs), and industry efforts to ensure pMDIs remain available as an important treatment option.
• The product development and manufacturing challenges associated with introducing next-generation propellants
• The implications for the Holmes Chapel site, including growth opportunities and investment.
• Looking ahead: the future of inhalation product development, including expansion into new therapeutic areas such as central nervous system (CNS) disorders and other emerging applications.

Today’s speakers are Ross Errington and Nick Atkinson

Ross is Head of Drug Product Development at Bespak.  He is a chemist by training with over 30 years’ experience in pharmaceutical product development and manufacture, specialising in inhaled delivery systems. He has deep experience of pMDI product development and commercialisation, having supported numerous customers to successfully design, develop, register and commercialise products across global markets.  He is also an IPAC-RS Board Member.

Nick is portfolio manager for strategic engineering projects at Bespak. He has extensive knowledge in the design and implementation of manufacturing systems for orally inhaled and nasal drug products, across all manufacturing scales. Nick has led the implementation of new adaptions to existing manufacturing processes at clinical and commercial scale, and prior to his current role led the engineering project delivery team.