Hanmi Pharmaceutical said Thursday that it added an eight-story information and communications technology (ICT)-based “smart plant” to its Paltan industrial complex in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province.

The new plant opening is part of Hanmi’s efforts to solidify its leadership as a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) internationally. Visitors may view the manufacturing process through a tour of the plant without having to wear protective clothing.

Panorama view of the Smart Plant located inside Hanmi Pharmaceutical’s Paltan Industrial Complex

The company said that it was preparing for a “second leap” with the 36,500-square meter, CDMO-based plant that will produce its drugs such as Amosartan, Rovelito, and Rosuzet, currently sold abroad by global pharmaceutical firms such as Sanofi and MSD.

Unlike contract manufacturing organizations, CDMOs provide comprehensive services ranging from research and development (R&D) to actual development, manufacturing, distribution, and even sales.

The plant also holds a variety of innovative technologies such as its “split valve” system, Consignma processing system, process analytical technology, rail guided vehicle, extensive conveyor system, and an auto-guided forklift.

Hanmi said the smart plant will provide a comprehensive, one-stop solution to help meet demands of its clients, including those of multinational pharmaceuticals.

“It took a lot of time and money to introduce and set up high-end systems and facilities. We put forth every effort to expand the smart plant to meet the demands in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” said Hanmi Pharmaceutical CEO Woo Jong-soo. “Now our global CDMO business will go into full swing, serving as an opportunity to bolster Hanmi’s international presence.”

The smart plant is a 150 billion won ($140 million) investment that used big data accrued from its existing radio-frequency identification (RFID)-based manufacturing system.

The company used its existing RFID system to track and record information on its products from each step of production to sales. They then used the information to create new analytical ones, essentially creating “RFID-based big data.”

The big data is now the foundation for the state-of-the-art plant that will be used to produce various drugs such as double layer tablets, film-coated or uncoated tablets, hard gelatin capsules, and poly capsules it said. Production capacity ranges from small amounts for experimental drugs to large ones for mass production.

The plant will also allow Hanmi to decrease manual labor and increase management roles, ultimately leading to efficiency and competitiveness, it said. There are around 580 people working at the Paltan industrial complex, with around 10 percent in R&D, 25 percent in quality management, 45 percent in manufacturing management and 20 percent in facility management.

Hanmi stressed that it executed everything from plant design to construction according to global standards, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP). Its adherence to global standards helped it become a certified drug maker acknowledged by the U.S., Europe, and Japan, it added.

Woo noted that the plant encompasses all of Hanmi’s accumulated technologies and know-how and stands out from the pack for its distinguished design and ability to produce drugs according to high global standards.

News of the smart plant opening comes in tandem with the announcement of Hanmi pouring around 18 percent of its sales revenue into R&D, bringing it to the forefront of domestic pharmaceutical firms in terms of R&D investment.

The company said it expects to create a positive cycle of high R&D investment leading to high sales, and back to high R&D investment.

yjc@docdocdoc.co.kr

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