Zila, Inc. has announced that it is bringing production of its Zilactin(R) products in-house, including its patented Zilactin(R)-L Cold Sore Liquid and bulk solutions for Zilactin(R) Toothache Swabs and Zilactin(R) Baby Teething Swabs.
"This move exploits the technical prowess of our personnel," said Zila President Doug Burkett, PhD, "and will ultimately reduce costs and improve quality control for our pharmaceutical business. Additionally, this further demonstrates Zila's competency in expanding its production of efficacious products in accordance with strict U.S. Food & Drug Administration Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) regulations."
These Zilactin products, which were previously outsourced to a third party, will be produced at the Zila Technical Operations facility in Phoenix, Ariz. - a 14,000 square foot leased building which already houses the computer-controlled production operations and compliance infrastructure for Zila(R) Tolonium Chloride, the active pharmaceutical ingredient in Zila's OraTest(R) oral cancer detection product. Ramping up for production of bulk Zilactin solution and for total production of Zilactin-L finished goods - including liquid compounding, filling and packaging - will not diminish the facility's capacity to produce sufficient Zila Tolonium Chloride for several million OraTest rinse kits per year.
"Set-up costs associated with bringing these Zilactin operations in-house should be recouped quickly," Dr. Burkett said. "We have only incurred the incremental expense of converting the OraTest/Zila Tolonium Chloride space into a dual-use facility. The result is a more efficient use of resources and substantial absorption of overhead, particularly in terms of skilled labor." He noted that the Company is considering bringing other manufacturing processes in-house in the future.
"This move further demonstrates Zila's commitment to focus on its core strengths, and to build a reputation for providing the highest quality, most efficacious products in its field, while ultimately reducing our cost of goods. Manny Ramirez, Zila's director of compliance, and Michael Shaw, director of manufacturing, with their respective teams have performed exceptionally in bringing this key component of our business in-house," Dr. Burkett concluded.
