Contract drug developer and manufacturer Particle Sciences Inc. has been renamed Lubrizol Life Science Health, five years after it was acquired by Lubrizol Corp.
Lubrizol initially retained the name of the drug formulation and production firm founded in 1991 by a physician, and made Particle Sciences part of its advanced material group.
However, the Bethlehem, Pa.-based operation, which has focused on highly potent compounds, emulsions, nanoparticulates, drug-eluting devices and other technologies, now has been incorporated into the Lubrizol Life Science business group.
The new name is part of a series of changes to expand the life science group's services for medical device and pharmaceutical companies from concept to commercialization.
Lubrizol Life Science Health recently opened a 5,000-square-foot commercial-scale manufacturing plant in Bethlehem, taking the site from drug development to drug production as part of a $60 million investment into global operations that was announced in 2017.
As part of Lubrizol Life Science, the former Particle Sciences can reap the benefits-and resources-that come with being part of a large corporation. This includes greater customer support and market insights, according to Barbara Morgan, global business director of pharmaceutical solutions for Lubrizol Life Science Health.
"We are focused on expanding and strengthening our internal capabilities so we can continue to innovate sustainably, the way we develop and manufacture drug products in partnership with customers, particularly those complex and differentiated products, which require additional expertise and experience," Morgan said.
One of the first projects at the Bethlehem production facility involves an aseptic fill for a multiuse ophthalmic delivery device.
The Lubrizol Life Science brand was created when the company grouped its personal, home and health care businesses together under the name in July 2019 while completing its acquisition of Bavaria Medizin Technologie GmbH.
The German producer of intravascular devices for coronary and cranial uses and nonvascular devices like drug-coated balloons also offers private label manufacturing of proprietary catheters and balloons, along with services such as sterilization, packaging and labeling, and logistics.
The changes are evidence of Lubrizol's evolution from a supplier of thermoplastics polyurethanes and ingredients to a multifaceted company that offers a range of services, according to company officials.
Lubrizol Life Science is part of Wickliffe, Ohio-based specialty chemical company Lubrizol Corp. Founded in 1928, Lubrizol posted sales of $6.8 billion in 2018 with 8,700 employees at manufacturing facilities in 17 countries.