PHARMA FOCUS//Tabletting FOCUS & Encapsulation
Meet BASF’s virtual pharma assistants Leveraging the concept of virtual assistance, the expertise of BASF’s pharma solutions business unit is now available via three unique web-based tools. P&C Review spoke to Sithembiso Dlalisa, BASF’s pharma solutions sales account manager, to find out more about how these tools can help pharmaceutical manufacturers. By Abby Vorster
B
ASF’s new web-based solutions are called ZoomLabTM, RegXcellenceTM and MyProductWorld. These three
virtual tools support all stages of the drug development process and bridge the technology and skills gaps in formulation and processing in emerging markets.
BASF’s expertise is available online 24/7 … adding value whenever and wherever our customers need it
Dlalisa explains: “Through BASF’s knowledge-sharing culture, we are
and download documents. You can
encouraged to share our expertise
also request samples; download
with customers by hosting workshops
technical documents, brochures and posters; and connect seamlessly to
and collaborating on projects. With the COVID-19 pandemic placing restrictions on how we interact with our customers,
Sithembiso Dlalisa
RegXcellence documents. The product overview gives access to
the need for knowledge-sharing via
RegXcellence
benefits, product details and available
web-based platforms is stronger than
One of the most critical points in pharma
documents at a glance, and you can
ever. With the virtual pharma assistants,
manufacturing is documentation for
select products, number of batches and
BASF’s expertise is now fully accessible
regulatory compliance. RegXcellence is
view the user’s request history. Customer-
and available online 24/7, allowing us
a virtual quality and regulatory assistant,
centric contextual feedback is also
to continue to add value whenever and
which helps customers meet their
provided via MyProductWorld.
wherever our customers need it.”
compliance needs.
ZoomLab
customisation of regulatory documents to fit
Taking the guesswork out of pharma
ZoomLab is a virtual formulation assistant for
country-specific compliance needs, such as
manufacturing, BASF’s virtual pharma
pharma manufacturers.
those of the South African Health Products
assistants are available for use by
Regulatory Authority. The user can source
manufacturers, universities, laboratories,
starting formulations and eliminate pre-
documents such as drug master files, a letter
etc. Yet, due to regulations around the
formulation trial and error,” Dlalisa says. “A
of access, or certificate of suitability using the
protection of information, users must first
key aspect of this particular tool is that API
RegXcellence tool,” comments Dlalisa.
register online and be approved in order to
“This virtual assistant allows for the
“With this tool you can instantly predict
confidentiality is maintained throughout.
Widely used and appreciated
use the web-based platforms.
All that is needed to source an optimised
MyProductWorld
formulation are the properties of the
The third offering from BASF’s virtual pharma
are highly appreciated and have
API, a target profile of the final drug and
assistants is MyProductWorld. This interactive
become widely used since their launch
ingredient preferences.”
and easy-to-use platform helps the user
in November 2019 at CPhi Worldwide in
find a suitable product solution for their
Frankfurt. The online tools are new to the
formulation wizard coupled with the provision
formulation challenges. You can also access
South African pharma industry, as they
processing instructions and compendia,
comprehensive information about all of
were pending the necessary approvals
which allows the user to browse API, excipient
BASF’s products.
from local authorities. We anticipate they
The functionality of ZoomLab includes a
and generic drug databases. There are also
“Using a stepwise approach,
“Globally the virtual pharma assistants
will fit in well with local market needs,
checks in place which help the user verify the
MyProductWorld allows the user to source the
gaining the same, if not more, of a positive
processability of APIs and powder blends.
exact raw material or ingredient for a particular
response from South African pharma
finished product, be it a softgel, or instant and
manufacturers,” Dlalisa concludes. •
Additional features such as BCS classes, coatings, manufacturing processes and dosage forms are in the pipeline and will be added to ZoomLab later this year.
18
| JUNE 2020 | P C Review
modified release, for example,” he explains. The functionalities of this virtual pharma assistant allow the user to save favourites
Visit www.info-mypharma.basf.com and sign up to access all three virtual pharma assistants.
