PCI Pharma Services & ChiRhoClin Partner to Prevent Shortage of Critical Orphan Pancreatic Drug

PCI Pharma Services (PCI) is collaborating with theranostics specialist ChiRhoClin, Inc. to avoid the potential shortage of a critical diagnostic drug used to test for pancreatic disease and cancer. Following a high-priority project executed along a tight timeline, an ample, stable supply of ChiRhoStim (Human Secretin for Injection) continues to be available to benefit patients throughout the US.

ChiRhoClin is a theranostics company specializing in orphan drugs for the gastrointestinal and radiological fields. Its intravenous product, ChiRhoStim, is essential for diagnosing pancreatic cancer and exocrine dysfunction. ChiRhoStim also supports pancreatic function testing, assists with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) cannulation, enables gastrinoma testing, and aids in collecting pancreatic fluid for diagnostic purposes.

With ChiRhoStim experiencing unusually high demand, ChiRhoClin worked closely with the FDA CDER Drug Shortage Team to secure approval for the commercial release of the first process performance qualification (PPQ) batch. This batch was manufactured at PCI’s Bedford, NH facility and packaged at its Philadelphia site. Although the commercialization process typically requires three PPQ runs following CDMO tech transfer, interim approval was granted due to the drug’s established commercial status at PCI.

PCI’s ability to serve as a turnkey production partner helped further expedite the process. The CDMO is performing sterile drug manufacturing, lyophilization, final testing and quality assurance release at its Bedford campus, then handling commercial labeling, packaging and distribution operations from its commercial packaging site in Philadelphia. This streamlined, “under one corporate roof” process expedited drug product release and shortened the batch’s time to market by approximately three months.

Considering the time-sensitive project’s success, ChiRhoClin plans to utilize PCI as its primary manufacturing and commercial supply partner for ChiRhoStim moving forward.

“Our partnership with PCI has been invaluable, and we extend our deepest gratitude for their efforts in making ChiRhoStim a priority,” said Skip Purich, CEO of ChiRhoClin, Inc. “Thanks to their dedication, the pancreatic community can avoid the hardship of facing a shortage of this critical, life-saving diagnostic drug.”

“For the PCI team, it is a true point of pride to assist with mission-critical, time-sensitive projects such as this – ones that lean upon our strengths as a flexible, turnkey partner capable of combining precision, quality and speed to market,” said Shawn Cain, SVP Development and Manufacturing and General Manager, Bedford Campus. “We thank the ChiRhoClin team for their commitment to life-saving orphan drugs, and for their faith in PCI as we continue to expand our working relationship.”

ChiRhoClin, Inc. is a theranostics company focused on developing orphan drug products for the gastrointestinal and radiological sectors. The company emphasizes the development of orphan drug products to diagnose and treat pancreatic gastrointestinal diseases, and encourages research in the pancreatic area through its dedicated pancreatic grant program. For more information, visit www.chirhoclin.com.

PCI is a world-leading CDMO, providing clients with integrated end-to-end drug development, manufacturing and packaging capabilities that increase their products’ speed to market and opportunities for commercial success. PCI brings the proven experience that comes with more than 90 successful product launches each year and over five decades in the healthcare services business. The company currently has 30 sites across seven countries (Australia, Canada, US, Ireland, Wales, Germany, and Spain), and over 7,000 employees working to bring life-changing therapies to patients. For more information, visit www.pci.com.