Malta’s pharmaceutical industry must keep up-to-date with the latest innovation if it is to continue its dynamic growth in the future.

That was the main conclusion of a seminar organised by Evolve and SOTAX, the world’s leading solution provider for pharmaceutical test equipment.

The well-attended event was held at Villa Bighi in Kalkara, as part of Evolve’s ongoing Customer Educational Programme.

Its purpose was to discuss the latest important advances in the sector, examining ways to accelerate drug development, embrace cutting-edge pharmaceutical technologies, and devise more efficient forms of drug production.

In recent years, pharma businesses based in Malta have started to utilise digitalisation, automation, and other technical and industrial developments, but some still have a way to go.

The list of speakers was led by Ramsey Khinda, head of sales and marketing for Europe at SOTAX.

Speaking afterwards, he said: ‘It was an excellent seminar with great participation from the delegates, wanting to know more on automated platforms for productivity and compliance.’

The meeting heard how new technologies are being introduced at a rapid rate. Innovations in automation, digitalisation, production systems, and testing methods require pharma companies in Malta to recruit new talent and nuture external collaborations and strategic partnerships.

The event also examined the advantages automation can bring to quality control laboratories, such as cost savings, better accuracy, more traceability and enhanced compliance to pharma regulations.

One of the highlights of the afternoon session was an open discussion where attendees discussed the hurdles and remedies in making the switch from manual operation to automated systems.

Other speakers included Tobias Tielke, the product manager of physical testing at SOTAX, and Godfrey Agius, a specialist in quality control at Aurobindo Pharma, based in Hal Far.

Evolve business account manager Zachary Muscat, who chaired the event, said: ‘The success of our event at Villa Bighi shows that our partnership with SOTAX is already benefitting the wider science sector in Malta.

‘SOTAX is a world-class leader in physical testing equipment and fits in with our portfolio at Evolve perfectly. Together Evolve and SOTAX will continue to offer our know-how as a service to the pharmaceutical industry in Malta.

‘A huge thanks to everyone who took part in our latest seminar. We had some great conversations and it was good to catch up with our customers, friends and partners in the Maltese pharmaceutical industry.’

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