Vertellus Specialties has upgraded its facility in Antwerp, Belgium, to manufacture niacin (nicotinic acid) for pharmaceutical use.
Major changes at the plant comprise upgrades and validation of critical equipment, manufacturing processes, analytical methodology and data collection systems.
Vertellus Agriculture & Nutrition Specialties president Bentley Park said, "Among other applications, Niacin increasingly is used as a critical ingredient in drugs that help improve cardiovascular health by increasing good cholesterol levels."
The facility meets guidelines necessary to be compliant with current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) in manufacture of an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API).
The US Federal Drug Administration has inspected the facility and deemed it acceptable.