On Aug. 22, Pinellas County Economic Development staff members joined economic development partners from the City of Pinellas Park for a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark Catalent’s enhanced development capabilities and additional Pilot Plant area. This expands on Catalent’s 453,000-square-foot facility in Pinellas Park, where the company provides softgel development and manufacturing services for a variety of prescription and over-the-counter products.
Reaching pilot scale represents a milestone in a drug’s commercial development. Upon reaching this milestone, drug sponsors may first explore with their development and manufacturing partners the engineering, commercialization, clinical, regulatory, and process aspects of supply outside the relative safety of laboratory. Catalent’s General Manager of the site, Brian Rhatigan, explains, “The Pinellas Park facility is our primary softgel development and manufacturing facility in North America. We have a capacity of 18 billion capsules per year, which is significant on its own. This Pilot Plant expansion adds to that capability by providing more designated space in which to test a product’s ultimate manufacturability – where we can find the best route to take something new from lab to market.”
Over the past 10 years, Catalent has worked with Pinellas County Economic Development (PCED) to explore ways to sustain its growth in the region. “We have the expertise and ability to assist companies in a wide array of areas,” explains PCED Economic Development Manager Andrea Falvey. “It’s important that we spend time with clients like Catalent to listen to their needs and help identify areas of opportunity. Leading up to its expansion, we took time to review the programs and opportunities available to support the company’s goals.”
Catalent’s facility is located in a designated Foreign Trade Zone and Brent Barkway, PCED Business Development Manager and expert on international trade, works with the company on compliance for that program. “FTZ 193 includes three counties and more than 2,000 square miles in the Tampa Bay region. Operating a business within the FTZ, as Catalent does, offers benefits such as the reduction or elimination of fees, expedited approvals, and improved efficiencies.”
PCED staff also connected Catalent to Pinellas Park to facilitate building permits, and the city supported the ribbon cutting event to mark the special occasion. Says Nick Colonna, Pinellas Park’s Community Development Administrator, "We are so excited that Catalent is part of our community. It is a big win to have economic growth and employment that provides opportunities for residents and simultaneously develops products that improve people's lives."
Speaking on the significance of the Pilot Plant expansion, Brian Rhatigan states that “We’ve been doing business here in Pinellas since 1980. The area has everything our company needs to continue finding success in new ventures and having the support of an agency like Pinellas County Economic Development behind us is extremely helpful.” Andrea Falvey summarizes, “This is an exciting milestone for Catalent, and we were very happy to have the opportunity to celebrate with the company.”
Learn how we can help your company reach new milestones in Pinellas County at PCED.org.
