Freeman Technology Partners with GEA to Advance Continuous Manufacturing for Pharmaceutical Industry

The work involves Freeman Technology’s FT4 Powder Rheometer and GEA Pharma Systems’ ConsiGma 1 continuous granulation unit. Data from the FT4 are being used to quantify the influence of the operating conditions of the ConsiGma1 on the bulk characteristics of the granules being manufactured.  These data are then correlated to attributes of the tablets, providing the link between granule and tablet properties. 

Pharmaceutical manufacturers frequently utilize wet granulation as a precursor to tableting, with the current trend moving from traditional batch manufacturing toward integrated continuous processing. The ConsiGma 1 is a laboratory-scale version of GEA Pharma Systems’ ConsiGma concept, which incorporates a continuous high-shear granulator and small batch dryer. It has been developed specifically to meet this continuous wet-granulation need.

The FT4 Powder Rheometer enables the measurement of bulk, shear and dynamic powder properties that can be correlated directly with process performance and product quality. It can be used as tool for scoping the design space for powder processes, as advocated by QbD.

For more information, visit www.freemantech.co.uk.