In a move that boosts its capacity for service by 50 percent, Metrics Inc. is expanding its stability storage.

In its latest expansion, Metrics will offer new environmental specialties (ESI) chambers with redundant mechanical systems that will maintain proper environmental conditions, even in the unlikely event that an electrical failure occurs. All environmental chambers are state of the art and will be fully operational and validated by second quarter 2008. The chambers meet International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) and United States Pharmacopia (USP) guidelines.

In addition, for chambers without such redundancy, Metrics will maintain empty back-up chambers pre-set to condition so that client studies can be transferred immediately if necessary.

Finally, the new storage facility is highly secure, with access to the area being strictly limited to authorized personnel only.

“Since we’ve been functioning at capacity at Metrics for some time now, we are pleased we can now provide our clients with the greater stability storage capacity they need,” said Phil Hodges, president.

Headquartered in Greenville, N.C., Metrics is one of the fastest-growing contract pharmaceutical development laboratories in the United States. The company provides quality pharmaceutical formulation, clinical trial material (Phase I through Phase III) and commercial manufacturing, and analytical development/validation services to the pharmaceutical industry.

Metrics is completing an $18-million, 47,000-square-foot facility addition that will nearly double its analytical and manufacturing space. The expansion is taking place at Metrics’ existing 50,000-square-foot cGMP facility registered with and inspected by the FDA.

Not only will Metrics be able to increase production to 1 billion tablets a year (up from the current level of 50 million), but space for microbiology services will increase five-fold. Metrics offers a full menu of microbiological services to support non-sterile solid dosage forms.

Moreover, the Metrics microbiology department routinely performs bacterial endotoxin and particulate matter testing on parenterals. This year, Metrics will bring antibiotic assay and sterility testing online, enhancing its ability to offer full microbiological support of sterile products.

Since its start in 1994, Metrics has grown from four employees to more than 230 employees and experienced double-digit annual revenue growth.