Abbott opens new research/pilot facility in Ludwigshafen

US health care major Abbott Laboratories has announced the opening of new development laboratories and a pilot plant facility that will research groundbreaking technologies and test large-scale production of newly-developed drug formulations. The expansion is part of Abbott's global drug-delivery business, SOLIQS, which is based in Ludwigshafen, Germany.

"Abbott is committed to advancing scientific innovation and bringing new medicines to patients," said John Leonard, senior vice president, pharmaceuticals, R&D, at the firm. "Innovative drug formulation is critical to the development of effective new treatments that make a difference for patients," he added.

"Nearly 40% of pharmaceutical compounds never reach the clinical study phase because they cannot be absorbed in the human body," noted Jorg Breitenbach, senior director of drug product development and head of SOLIQS, who added that the "expansion builds on Abbott's expertise in drug delivery technology and addresses the rising demand for innovative, patient-focused formulations."