Bluemation

Automation for the Pharmaceutical Sector

Validated control systems for pharmaceutical manufacturing. GMP, FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and complete traceability in every project.

Our Experience

Tailored automation for this sector

The pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry has the highest regulatory requirements in industrial automation. Every control system must be qualified and validated per Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), FDA 21 CFR Part 11 for electronic records and EMA guidelines.

At Bluemation we develop automation systems for pharmaceutical manufacturing: synthesis reactors, formulation and packaging lines, cleanrooms, purified water systems and bioreactors. We deliver complete validation documentation: URS, FS, IQ/OQ/PQ protocols and validation reports.

Our pharmaceutical SCADA systems include user management with roles and approvals, electronic signatures, immutable audit trails and electronic batch record management, facilitating the transition to paperless batch records.

Sector Challenges

Key automation challenges in this sector

01

IQ/OQ/PQ validation and GMP

All automation systems in pharmaceutical environments must be qualified: IQ (Installation), OQ (Operational) and PQ (Performance). We develop the complete documentation and execute the qualification protocols with the client's validation team.

02

FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and electronic signatures

FDA regulations require that electronic records are secure, auditable and unalterable. We implement systems with user management, biometric or password electronic signatures, complete audit trail and data integrity (ALCOA+).

03

Recipe management and batch records

Pharmaceutical manufacturing requires reproducible execution of complex recipes with multiple steps, critical process parameters (CPPs) and critical quality attributes (CQAs). We implement electronic master batch record management with approval workflows and change traceability.

04

Controlled environments and cleanrooms

Automation equipment in cleanrooms must meet particle classification requirements. We design with suitable materials, no dust-accumulating edges, no loose cables and validated pressurisation and HVAC control systems.

05

Data integrity

Regulatory agencies require that manufacturing data be attributable, legible, contemporaneous, original and accurate (ALCOA). We design to prevent data overwriting, unauthorised access and manipulation of historical records.

06

Controlled changes and re-validation

Any modification to a validated system requires a controlled change process and may require partial or total re-validation. We design to facilitate change impact assessment and maintain documentation throughout the lifecycle.

Applications

Solutions we apply in this sector

Validated pharmaceutical SCADA

GMP SCADA systems with user management, immutable audit trail, electronic signatures, alarm management and batch reporting. Siemens WinCC, Rockwell FactoryTalk and Ignition Sepasoft platforms.

Reactors and bioreactors

Automation of chemical synthesis reactors and bioreactors: PID temperature and pH control, reagent dosing, agitation control, continuous parameter recording and process alarms with batch record entry.

Recipe management (electronic MBR)

Electronic master batch record systems: master recipe creation and approval, production download, guided execution with verifications at each step, automatic parameter recording and completed batch record generation.

Purified water WFI systems

Automation of purified water (PW) and water for injection (WFI) production and distribution systems: TOC, conductivity, temperature control, quality alarms and monitoring records for QA.

Pharmaceutical packaging lines

Automation of ampoule, vial and syringe filling and closing lines: dose control, 100% automatic visual inspection, closure verification, serialisation and full batch record parameter recording.

HVAC and cleanrooms

Control of cleanroom HVAC systems: temperature, relative humidity, differential pressure, air changes and particle classification. Automatic alarms, continuous records and GMP audit reporting.

Technology

Platforms and protocols we work with

Siemens S7-1500 · WinCC Unified
Rockwell ControlLogix · FactoryTalk
Schneider EcoStruxure · Aveva
SCADA Ignition with Sepasoft MES
ISA-88 S88 recipe management
FDA 21 CFR Part 11 · EU Annex 11
URS · FS · IQ/OQ/PQ documentation
Electronic signatures · Audit trail
OPC-UA · Profinet communication
Frequently Asked Questions
What is IQ/OQ/PQ validation and why is it mandatory in pharma?
IQ (Installation Qualification), OQ (Operational Qualification) and PQ (Performance Qualification) are the three qualification phases required by GMP for automation systems in pharmaceutical environments. They demonstrate that the system is correctly installed, operates per the specifications and produces consistent, reproducible results.
What is FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and how does it affect pharmaceutical SCADA systems?
FDA 21 CFR Part 11 regulates the use of electronic records and electronic signatures in the FDA-regulated pharmaceutical industry. It requires SCADA systems to have robust access control, an immutable audit trail, valid electronic signatures and guaranteed data integrity.
Can you validate an existing SCADA system that doesn't meet GMP?
Yes. We audit the existing system, identify the gaps with respect to GMP requirements, implement the necessary improvements (access control, audit trail, backup management) and produce the retrospective validation documentation.
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