Symetix Receives Order for Pharmaceutical Grading/Sorting Line from Major Softgel Manufacturer
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December 4, 2006 - Symetix, the pharmaceutical business unit of Key Technology, announces that it received an order from one of the largest softgel manufacturers in the world. The order, valued at approximately $700,000, is for a solid dose pharmaceutical grading/sorting line for OTC and prescription drugs. The line removes defects and foreign capsules from the product stream to achieve 100 percent in-line, real-time inspection.
The integrated grading/sorting line replaces traditional labor-intensive batch manufacturing processes with new, continuous automated processes, which extend Symetix's concept of a Continuous Softgel Finishing Line to the OTC and prescription pharmaceutical industry.
"When we launched Optyx®/SG, the first optical inspection system designed for bulk softgels, in December 2005, nutraceutical manufacturers were the first to benefit from the paradigm shift that this continuous processing technology enables. Now, with Optyx®SG/V2, we're introducing this same paradigm shift to manufacturers of OTC and regulated solid dose pharmaceuticals," noted Rich Hebel, Managing Director for Symetix. "Our vision and our technology, together with our comprehensive systems engineering and validation support, position us to be a preferred provider to pharmaceutical manufacturers."
The new grading/sorting line is anchored by Optyx®SG/V2, a new high volume optical inspection system, which features ultra-high resolution, full color cameras. The FDA 21 CFR part 11 compliant Optyx®SG/V2 verifies product color, size, and shape, and detects the smallest defects, including air bubbles, stained capsules, and misshapen product. The system can inspect up to 900,000 softgel capsules per hour.
The softgel line will also include Symetix's new Impulse(TM)/P size grader, which improves product quality and increases automation on the lines. The Impulse(TM)/P replaces maintenance-intensive diverging roller graders, traditionally used in the pharmaceutical industry, which require hours to sanitize during product changeover. The Symetix ultra-low maintenance size grader can accommodate a product changeover in only ten minutes, including sanitation.
Optyx®SG/V2 and Impulse(TM)/P are integrated with Forte(TM) line control automation and backed by Symetix's systems engineering and validation technical services.
About Symetix
Symetix, launched in September 2005, is the pharmaceutical business unit of Key Technology. With over 50 years of experience in the food, tobacco, and pharmaceutical industries and over 70 FDA-validated inspection systems installed worldwide for softgels, capsules, and tablets, Key is a leading manufacturer of best-in-class process automation systems. Symetix offers worldwide sales representation and maintains demonstration and testing facilities at Key's headquarters and manufacturing divisions in Walla Walla, Washington, USA; in Beusichem, the Netherlands; and in Sydney, Australia. Key's common stock trades on the Global Market tier of The NASDAQ Stock MarketSM under the symbol: KTEC.
Reader Inquiries:
Brenda Murphy
Symetix
150 Avery Street
Walla Walla, WA 99362 USA
Tel: 800.941.3701 or 509.522.3524
Fax: 509.522.3361
Email: bmurphy@symetix.com
URL: www.symetix.com
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