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