ATS receives US $4.6 million order for specialty "aseptic"
pharmaceutical automated manufacturing system
TSX: ATA
CAMBRIDGE, ON, March 9 /CNW/ - ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. today
announced it has received a follow-on order valued at US $4.6 million
(CDN$6.1 million) to complete the build phase of an automated aseptic
manufacturing system that will be used by a specialty drug division of a
global pharmaceutical company.
ATS recently completed initial orders for the design phase of the
project, which also included delivery of an initial production element for the
line, bringing the total aggregate value of the full project with this
customer to approximately CDN$ 8.0 million.
"This is the third major pharmaceutical company during the past month
that has placed a significant order with ATS," said Mr. Woerner. "This
indicates growing momentum for us in what we believe will be one of the
fastest growing automation markets for ATS in the future. More important, this
particular order demonstrates the value of our design capabilities and how
they can be applied to develop advanced aseptic manufacturing systems. This
customer hired us last year on the strength of our engineering-design
capabilities, and the work we have successfully completed during the design
phase has clearly convinced them that we are the right partner for the entire
project. Although this is our first major project together, we expect it will
lead to a long and productive relationship given the competitive advantages
our solutions can bring to this specialty drug division and the customer's
other global operations."
This particular automated system will be used to aseptically formulate
and fill a high-value, specialty injectable drug and has been commissioned by
the client to replace older manufacturing equipment due to increased demand
for their product. The ATS automated system will increase the customer's
output and production efficiency and includes an integrated supervisory
control and data acquisition (SCADA) software system.
On February 16, 2004 ATS announced a CDN $2.9 million order for two
high-speed, fully automatic ATS machine vision inspection systems from another
major pharmaceutical company. On February 26, 2004, the Company announced it
was chosen as a single source provider of integrated automated manufacturing
systems valued at CDN $3.6 million by another pharmaceutical company.
The names of customers and project details cannot be disclosed due to
confidentiality requirements.
About ATS and Aseptic Manufacturing
Aseptic manufacture, which characterizes this project, is a stringent
requirement for all drugs that are administered in ways that circumvent the
body's natural protective systems, such as by injection. Aseptic manufacturing
is a large and growing area in pharmaceutical production, and is being driven
in part by the emergence of biotechnologically "engineered" drugs, most of
which cannot be administered orally.
"Fully automated aseptic production is a relatively new phenomenon," said
Mr. Woerner, "and it's considered by most to be an area with considerable
growth potential. Very few companies in our industry, beyond ATS, have the
innovative capacity, the experience in ultra-clean automation environments and
the knowledge of the regulatory environment required to support customers
involved in aseptic production. ATS has already successfully completed aseptic
production projects for other customers and our order book for such systems
continues to grow, as does our list of pharmaceutical clients involved in
aseptic processing."
About ATS
ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. (www.atsautomation.com) is the
industry's leading designer and producer of turn-key automated manufacturing
and test systems, which are used primarily by multinational corporations
operating in a variety of industries including: automotive, electronics,
healthcare, and consumer products. The Company also makes precision components
and sub-assemblies using its own custom-built manufacturing systems, process
knowledge and automation technology. Through Photowatt International S.A., and
Spheral Solar Power Inc., ATS is an emerging leader in the rapidly growing
market for solar energy cells and modules. ATS employs approximately 3,800
people at 26 facilities in Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia-Pacific.
The Company's shares are traded on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol
ATA.
Certain forward looking statements are made in this news release,
including statements regarding possible future business. Investors are
cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties, including, without limitation, continued acceptance of ATS'
products, technologies, customer requirements and other risks detailed from
time to time in ATS' periodic reports filed with Canadian regulatory
authorities.
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For further information: Ron Jutras, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, (519) 653 6500