The inhalation industry is evolving. Advances in in silico and AI-based technologies, sustainability drivers, and a changing regulatory landscape are collectively moving the goalposts for device design and development. Against this backdrop, specialist contract development and manufacturing organisations (CDMOs) such as Bespak are in a unique position to get ahead of the curve by adopting the latest technologies to support their customers.
We sat down with key thought leaders at Bespak to discuss inhalation device design and development capabilities at Bespak’s King’s Lynn site in Norfolk, UK and how these have evolved to meet industry needs. In this deep dive, we gathered insights from: Shaun Williams, Product Engineering Manager, Karl Bass, Principal Model-Based Systems Engineer, Tony Mallett, Platform Development Group Manager, and Thomas Daly, Development Engineer, at Bespak.
Please can you tell us about your services at King’s Lynn?
Tony Mallett (TM): At King’s Lynn, we are a one stop shop for holistic device design and development. From early-stage testing to quality assurance (QA), our engineers can rapidly progress inhalation devices toward commercialisation in our validated development lab. Meanwhile, Bespak’s polymer lab provides an excellent understanding of material characterisation that can feed into rapid prototyping. But it’s not just about capabilities; it’s about how you use them. A major focus for us right now is cutting down on the amount of time needed to get from, say, “stage A” to “stage C” or “D”. That’s where concept feasibility comes in, leveraging device design understanding to allow products to progress to clinical trials more quickly and with reduced testing needs.
Shaun Williams (SW): We also offer cuttingedge in-house simulation capabilities, which are supported by a high-performance computer cluster that can run simulations rapidly. Our team offers rapid prototyping, functional testing, toolroom manufacturing, QC, and analytical labs. At the same time, our award-winning Injection Moulding Academy helps to keep standards high in device manufacturing. Here, we offer unique apprenticeships for polymer technicians and in-depth training programmes for engineers transitioning from other industries. Sharing skills in-house in this way enables the business to quickly adapt to new industry demands and trends, ensuring Bespak remains at the forefront.
