Moorfields Pharmaceuticals – The First Name in Ophthalmics
Royal College of Ophthalmologist Annual Congress
Originally set-up as a dedicated manufacturing facility for the world-renowned Moorfields Eye Hospital, it has taken Moorfields Pharmaceuticals less than 5 years to establish itself as a leading specialist manufacturer of ophthalmic medicines and Specials.
From a purpose-built manufacturing facility hidden underground close to London’s financial district, Moorfields Pharmaceuticals operates a highly unique 24/7 operation for the production of the widest range of ophthalmic drugs available anywhere in the UK.
Explains Moorfields md, Alan Krol, “We have the ability to manufacture any sterile liquids, but our decision to focus only on ‘eyes’ has been the right one. By concentrating on what we’re already really good at we have been able to become the industry experts.”
The widest range of Ophthalmic Specials
Specials, is the term given to the group of unlicensed medicines that are prescribed to patients, on an individual basis for the very specific treatment of a clinical condition. It is an area where Moorfields Pharmaceuticals has excelled due to their flexibility and expertise in producing very small amounts of a particular medicine quickly and accurately. They have also recognised opportunities for product development and were the first to make many of their specials available in a single-dose, ‘preservative-free’ format. The company has also developed a colour-coding system to simplify dispensing and help patient compliance.
Moorfields is a member of the Association of Commercial Specials Manufacturers (ACSM) and takes an active role. MD, Alan Krol, has recently taken over as Chairman of the ACSM, he says, “Our interest is to ensure a healthy, sustainable specials market where there are the highest standards of quality, safety and consistency of supply.
Clinical Trials
As the company’s reputation has grown, so too has the service portfolio. Contract manufacture, for example, has grown out of recognition that the company can produce and pack very small batches of pharmaceutical products to a very high standard of compliance and sterility. This has led to a booming business sector where major pharmaceutical companies approach Moorfields Pharmaceuticals to manufacture products for clinical trials and commercial use.
Branded and Licensed medicines
In the last year Moorfields Pharmaceuticals has launch its first two branded products. Hydromoor™ 0.3% unit-dose hypromellose for the treatment of mild to moderate dry eyes was launched last year as the first stage in the development of a dry eye continuum of products bearing the Moorfields credential. Described as the first line treatment for the symptoms of dry eyes, Hydromoor™ is presented in a preservative-free single unit dose, making it particularly suitable for those who are sensitive to preservative in eye drops as well as rigid contact lenses.
To accompany the Hydromoor™ launch, Moorfields Pharmaceuticals has sponsored a new medical resource website, www.dryeyesmedical.com, a free to use service dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of this condition.
NEW Catacrom®
The second product launch is CATACROM®, a new preservative-free single unit dose eye drop for the prevention and treatment of allergic conjunctivitis. CATACROM® is Sodium Cromoglicate, a mast cell stabilizer which in eye drop form is the tried and tested ‘first line’ treatment for allergic eye disease.
The company has other unique ophthalmic medicines in the pipeline.
Service
But products and manufacture is only a part of the business success. Says Alan, “We don’t just want to be a reactive organisation that responds to an order and delivers that’s a given. Our strength is in our knowledge, expertise and flexibility. A customer can call us with a question, a request, a challenge and we’ll find a solution.”
To that end, Alan has assembled a management team with broad experience of commercial pharmaceutical business to develop Moorfields Pharmaceuticals. We constantly examine our processes and invest in new technologies and processes to enhance quality, compliance and customer service.”
Concludes Alan, “By staying close to our marketplace, we can always deliver the best service – when it comes to ophthalmics, we want Moorfields to be the first name they think of.”
Meet members of the Moorfields team at the RCO Liverpool, stand 37/38
Hydromoor is trademark of Moorfields Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
MAY 2010
PR CONTACT: Lyn Wallace or Kate Jones on +44 (208) 995 5354 or lyn@wallacehcl.com
A selection of images is available on our website
http://www.moorfieldspharmaceuticals.co.uk/picture-library.php
