Honeywell Technology Selected by Genentech for Biotech Facility Expansion
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PHOENIX, May 16, 2006 - Honeywell (NYSE:HON) announced today that Genentech, a world leader in biologics manufacturing, has selected Honeywell to supply an integrated manufacturing control system. The control system is designed to produce consistency in production variability and a single electronic record of operations. The system will be used at Genentech's Vacaville, Calif. plant, which is currently undergoing a major expansion.
Genentech researchers develop medicines used to treat cancer, cystic fibrosis, heart attacks and asthma, among other serious and life-threatening diseases. The new system, which will integrate Honeywell's Experion® Process Knowledge System (PKS) and its POMSnet(TM) Manufacturing Execution System (MES), will support the plant's operational efficiency, provide electronic records of each batch of drugs produced, and help reduce operator errors. Honeywell is expected to deliver the system by mid-2006.
In addition to Experion PKS and POMSnet, Honeywell's solution features TotalPlant Batch and Uniformance Process History. Specifically, the applications will enable Genentech to collect, store and analyze data more efficiently.
"More life sciences companies like Genentech are improving operations by integrating their distributed control systems with MES solutions in new facilities," said Jack Bolick, president of Honeywell Process Solutions. "The Honeywell solution will keep things moving efficiently and provide the information their plant operators need to make fast decisions. Experion and POMSnet are proven systems, and with our integration expertise, they'll help Genentech accomplish its mission of providing breakthrough therapies to patients with serious and life-threatening diseases."
Experion PKS, which is used at some of the world's largest biotech manufacturing facilities, is a scaleable system that complies with 21 CFR Part 11 - the federal regulation governing electronic signature and record keeping to which every U.S. pharmaceutical company must adhere.
POMSnet MES, which Genentech plans to implement at other plants in addition to the Vacaville facility, is a Web-based tool designed specifically for pharmaceutical and biologics manufacturing that manages product specifications. POMSnet also complies with 21 CFR Part 11, as well as ISA S-88 and S-95 manufacturing standards.
Additionally, the integrated system will help reduce data-entry errors made by plant employees through "point-of-use" verification. This means the system not only verifies that equipment and materials used in processes are correct, but also checks their quality and availability.
Honeywell International is a $30 billion diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell's shares are traded on the New York, London, Chicago and Pacific Stock Exchanges. It is one of the 30 stocks that make up the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is also a component of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. For additional information, please visit www.honeywell.com. Honeywell Process Solutions is part of Honeywell's Automation and Control Solutions group, a global leader in providing product and service solutions that improve efficiency and profitability, support regulatory compliance, and maintain safe, comfortable environments in homes, buildings and industry. For more information about Process Solutions, access www.honeywell.com/ps.
Contact:
Erik Rasmussen
602-313-4054
erik.rasmussen@honeywell.com/
