Versapass Inc., a designer of precision fittings that can radically improve fluid systems for getting new pharmaceuticals and other high-value products to market, announced today expansion of its manufacturing and distribution to meet growing demand.

The company currently is interviewing prospective distributors to ensure a smooth expansion of its product line. Versapass products already are improving safety, purity and process control for customers such as pharmaceutical titan Boehringer Ingelheim and food-products giant Unilever.

“One of our largest customers described our products as offering elegant solutions to process challenges,” said Versapass President Craig Nelson. “It’s a great way to say that we are not just problem solvers, but innovators.”

Indeed, the versatility Versapass products bring to research and manufacturing processes is rooted in that innovation. What’s more, Versapass’ product line can pave the way for cost savings and quicker profits for manufacturers.

Since its founding in 2008, Versapass has quietly become a respected designer of unique sanitary feed-through fittings and components that ensure a high-purity environment and improve the measurement, sampling, monitoring and addition of materials in demanding research and manufacturing processes.

“It became apparent when working in the pharmaceutical, chemical and sterile packaging markets that there was a need to design fittings that are clean, robust and performance rated from the ground up,” said Dan Lyon, who holds the patent for Versapass’ product line. “Such products would enable industries to execute their tasks more efficiently and effectively.”

MannKind Corp., which is developing an inhalable insulin-delivery system, is one beneficiary of Versapass' products. MannKind relies heavily on Versapass fittings at its Danbury, Conn., pilot manufacturing plant, said Elliott Bay, senior director of chemical technology. For example, Versapass’ charge adapters allow MannKind to perform precision sampling of reaction mixtures.

“Versapass offers higher-quality parts,” Bay said. “They grip better; they are air-tight; they are clean. They are really superior pieces of equipment. They’re built like Swiss watches.”

MannKind’s Senior Engineer John Pocreva said Versapass instruments allow for greater flexibility in research and development.

“It is no exaggeration to say that when we have a new challenge, we ask, ‘Is there a Versapass solution to this problem?’” Pocreva said. “That inspires creativity. Any device that will do that is good in a research environment.”