Can you tell us about ACG Group? What services and technologies does the company offer to help pharmaceutical companies research and develop new drugs?
ACG is committed to making the world healthier and finding innovative solutions to the world’s greatest health challenges.
The company has been delivering exceptional solutions to the global pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industry for 60 years, across six continents and in a hundred countries.
Collaboration is at the core of ACG’s ethos, as the world’s only integrated pharma manufacturing solutions company. Products range from capsules to films & foils, to engineering equipment and inspection systems – all of which meet international regulatory requirements.
The company has seen a number of industry firsts – setting new benchmarks in pharma manufacturing. Its nutraceuticals brand, Vantage Nutrition, has recently made two very exciting acquisitions ComboCap and AquaCap.
ACG Process Labs
Following the success of its first-to-market laboratory for process development in India, ACG launching a sister process lab in Germany in 2023. The labs provide customers and partners access to the latest knowledge, skills, and equipment to collaboratively keep pushing the boundaries of all aspects of process development. Customers can test solid dosage optimisation limits, for example, and co-create alongside ACG’s team of experts to develop new process solutions. The extensive range of available equipment covers areas including feasibility studies, research and development work, pilot-scaling, and tailored in-house technical training courses.
In general, what are some issues the industry is facing regarding developing new dosage forms? Are there any interesting trends that you have observed?
The industry is constantly exploring new and varied dosage forms and carrier systems to accelerate development and tailor to evolving trends in delivery methods, such as tablets, capsules, injections, transdermal patches, inhalers, and implants. Each of these delivery carriers has its own set of challenges and benefits, depending on the drug and target delivery site. Therefore, the delivery system should be selected on a case-by-case basis, taking into account factors such as drug solubility, stability, and bioavailability.
An oral drug delivery system (ODDS) is considered the most attractive delivery format due to its convenience, patient preference, and cost-effectiveness. According to global estimates, approximately 60% of commercially available small-molecule drug products are administered orally.1 This route of drug delivery has higher patient compliance than other parenteral routes such as intravenous, subcutaneous, and intramuscular injections. It allows the delivery of a wide range of therapeutical ingredients. However, some of these may cause challenges due to their physicochemical properties, such as poor water solubility and membrane permeability, as well as gastric irritation --making it difficult to develop effective oral dosage forms. However, it is important to note that advancements in oral drug delivery have overcome many of the challenges once associated with it.
Many companies also face challenges relating to hygroscopic APIs. This can limit the options when it comes to the types of polymers that can be used in new dosage forms. HPMC is usually a viable solution. And, like most industries, there are new regulations to adhere to, coupled with approval processes. The recent ban on titanium dioxide as an opalescent is an example of a new regulatory requirement being discussed by the authorities, and – as ever – the industry will need to adapt and to provide a solution for customers.
ACG recently acquired ComboCap Inc. and AquaCap. Can you tell us about the reasons behind these acquisitions and what they mean for the company?
Although ACG has been established in North America for the last 20 years, the acquisition of AquaCap in December 2022 marked the company’s first in the territory and is a key next step in its global expansion strategy. With this increase in footprint and manufacturing capability, coupled with Vantage’s innovative technologies and 360-degree service offering (all in-house), ACG aims to provide the most advanced multiphase liquid-fill solutions for customers across the region.
The ComboCap acquisition has enabled ACG’s expansion of manufacturing capabilities and patented technology. Combined, the acquisitions will help to increase footprint, as well as manufacturing processes and technology advancement.
Why is the acquisition of both companies important to the US nutraceuticals market? Can you detail the effect these technologies will have on the market?
ACG now holds the patented design and specialized equipment used in producing the world’s first 2-in-1 capsule product with a movable membrane, becoming the sole proprietor of this technology globally. With its partners, the company will usher a new era in new combinations of dietary supplements, and even non-prescription or over-the counter (OTC) remedies as well as prescription (Rx) medicines to be delivered in a single dose. This technological breakthrough is a solution to current formulation challenges with many combination therapies, including incompatible ingredients or molecules. Capsules are arguably the safest and most reliable way to deliver medicine.
Looking ahead, in general what do you see for the future of the nutraceuticals market and specifically how will ACG help companies in this market segment meet their current and future goals?
This year and beyond will continue to pave the way towards sustainable manufacturing, with a growing number of organizations placing focus on creating long-term solutions.
Now is the time for new manufacturing sites to adopt and implement new technologies; to transform pharma manufacturing from being reliant on costly legacy processes. Digital technology will speed up processes by enabling early detection of wear and tear on machinery lines. It will also help to reduce wastage and recalls by effectively tracking defective batches, allowing for timely interventions.
Placing digital ‘Industry 4.0’ technologies – such as AI, machine learning, IoT, and Augmented and Virtual Reality – at the heart of manufacturing can further improve R&D and speed up testing, compliance and efficiency. Adopting Industry 4.0 technology and new delivery models can help to build a more self-reliant and robust pharmaceutical supply chain to keep up with changing and increasingly complex healthcare needs. Our focus is on creating high-performing and quality-driven manufacturing units that can support smart, connected, and intelligent systems. Reams of data convert into actionable intelligence, improving several supply chain aspects such as inventory management, trend analysis, forecasting and predictive equipment maintenance.
The acquisition of Aquacap and Combocap will position Vantage Nutrition as the sole ‘turnkey’ solution provider for the nutraceutical industry in North America. The offering encompasses custom delivery technologies, proprietary capsule filling and a combination of liquid and powder formats including internal beadlet manufacturing, and packaging lines. We pride ourselves in our world-class product development capability with access to proprietary formulas, delivering concept-to-consumer solutions, strategic consultancy, and advanced ingredient sourcing and processing, which ultimately reduces new product development time-to-market.
References
- Alqahtani Mohammed, Kazi Mohsin, Alsenaidy Mohammad, Ahmad Muhammad, ‘Advances in oral drug delivery’ (2021), frontiers in Pharmacology, vol 12
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