Category: Pharmaceutical, None

CSL Behring and CSL Limited

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Marburg, Germany

CSL Behring, a subsidiary of CSL Limited, developed a pandemic vaccine (H1N1) and signed a 180 million dollar contract with the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide bulk H1N1 influenza antigen. They use ICONICS software in their FDA-approved filing and packaging facility in Marburg, Germany, to bridge the gap between industrial automation and the medical field.

Challenges

  • Adhere to the US FDA's 21 CFR Part 11 requirements.
  • Log production data reliably, and store it safely.
  • Be able to produce data for inspection for 42 years following production date.

Results

  • Internet and Intranet connectivity is provided to GENESIS applications securely through WebHMI™.
  • TrendWorX™ facilitates enterprise-wide data collection, logging, charting, reporting and analysis.
  • AlarmWorX™ improves CSL’s ability to identify, quickly respond to, and to document abnormal conditions throughout the bottling process.
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About CSL Behring and CSL Limited

CSL Behring, a subsidiary of CSL Limited since 2004, traces its corporate roots to Emil von Behring, the first Nobel Prize recipient for Medicine and Physiology in 1901. As a pioneer in the field of immunology, Behring’s ground-breaking work resulted in the development of vaccinations against diphtheria and tetanus. CSL Biotherapies, also a subsidiary of CSL, operates some of the world’s largest flu vaccine manufacturing facilities for the global market. With more than 80 years of experience in the development and manufacturing of vaccines, and nearly 40 years with flu vaccines, CSL is committed to reliability, safety and quality.

Following the June 2009 World Health Organization announcement of an influenza pandemic, CSL developed a pandemic vaccine (H1N1) and signed a 180 million dollar contract with the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide bulk H1N1 influenza antigen. The HHS contract includes the opportunity to use the influenza vaccine dispensing and packaging facilities of CSL Behring in the US and Germany.
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GraphWorX Representation of a Bottling Line GraphWorX Representation of a Bottling Line

ICONICS Software Deployed

ICONICS’ GENESIS software suite enables rapid and safe production of the H1N1 flu vaccine for the US market in CSL Behring’s FDA-approved filing and packaging facility in Marburg, Germany. DataWorX™, TrendWorX™, WebHMI™, AlarmWorX™ and ICONICS OPC DataStore combine to create the solution bridging the gap between industrial automation and the medical field.
GraphWorX Representation of a Bottling Line GraphWorX Representation of a Bottling Line

Key Features

GENESIS Recording Data for CSL Limited GENESIS Recording Data for CSL Limited
Although their packaging facility is located in Germany, CSL Behring must still meet the recording requirements of the FDA. Specifically, CSL Behring must adhere to the 21 CFR Part 11, which outlines the controls necessary for the regulated industry to utilize electronic records and electronic signatures. CSL Behring requires a system where production data can be logged reliably and stored safely.

Audits, system validations, audit trails, electronic signatures, and documentation of electronic data are subject to inspection for 42 years following production date. ICONICS’ GENESIS data and historian applications are designed with these industry-standard regulations in mind.
GENESIS Recording Data for CSL Limited GENESIS Recording Data for CSL Limited
Vials of H1N1 Vaccine Vials of H1N1 Vaccine

Summary

For the past 11 years, ICONICS, in collaboration with System Integrator 8F Computer GmbH, has provided CSL Behring with an automation solution for their bottling facility in Germany. The H1N1 vaccine is dispensed into single use syringes or multi-dose vials in a sterile conveyor line, and then packaged and sent to CSL’s Illinois site for distribution across the US.

TrendWorX facilitates enterprise-wide data collection, logging, charting, reporting and analysis. A DataStore OPC Server stores collected information from proximity sensors, such as bottles in and out, rejects, and total production counts. AlarmWorX improves CSL’s ability to identify, quickly respond to and to document abnormal conditions throughout the bottling process. Internet and Intranet connectivity is provided to GENESIS applications securely through WebHMI.

In total there are 23 servers, running Windows Server, SQL Server, the ICONICS software and Kepware OPC servers. The total amounts of users who can use the system simultaneously are 109.
Vials of H1N1 Vaccine Vials of H1N1 Vaccine

Conclusion

CSL, 8F Computer GmbH and ICONICS have benefitted from a long lasting relationship, and currently play integral roles in a global environment where the H1N1 influenza vaccine is in high demand. Efficient and safe bottling methods are afforded by ICONICS industrial automation solution making for a healthier world.