AAIPharma Services Corp./Cambridge Major Laboratories Inc. has expanded its oral solid medication production capabilities, the Wilmington-based company announced this week.

By adding new equipment, officials stated in a news release, the company can provide additional coatings for tablets and increase its capabilities in encapsulation – creating medications in capsule form.

“With the addition of this equipment and a second manufacturing shift, the solid dosage capacity has increased by approximately 35%,” the release stated. “These investments have been driven by the significant growth in our drug product portfolio, particularly for orphan drugs and rare disease therapies.”

Company officials did not immediately return requests for information on hiring or the amount of investment.

The company’s new capabilities are a natural addition to AAIPharma’s existing drug specialties, which include minitabs, chewable products, sublingual (under the tongue) tablets, and pediatric sprinkles.

In November, AAIPharma announced it would invest $15.8 million to build a new corporate headquarters and laboratory space on about 8 acres on its Wilmington campus. If the company spends at least $20 million on the project by 2019 -- which it plans to do -- and and creates a minimum of 50 jobs, it would qualify for an incentives package of $500,000 over five years, approved earlier this year by New Hanover commissioners.

The newly announced equipment investment aligns with plans for the expansion, according to Ted Dolan, AAIPharma's chief operating officer.

“Our facility upgrades in Wilmington for Drug Product complement the overall progress of our laboratory and headquarters expansions,” Dolan said in the release. “We are excited to have this top of the line equipment and added capability for specialized areas of drug product development and manufacturing."

Together, AAIPharma Services and Cambridge Major Laboratories provide comprehensive pharmaceutical development and manufacturing services to clients around the world. At its seven global sites, the company offers API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) developing and manufacturing, solid state chemistry, analytical development and testing services, clinical and commercial finished dosage form manufacturing, drug packaging and stability services.