Authors


Paul Sheskey

Latest:

Scale-up trials of foam-granulation technology — high shear

The authors evaluate the scalability of foam-granulation technology using continuous foam addition in high-shear granulation equipment at the laboratory, pilot and manufacturing scales. Immediate- and controlled-release model formulations were used. Continuous and batch addition of foam were compared for the controlled-release model formulation at the manufacturing scale, and physical testing was performed on the granules and finished tablets.


P Pillai

Latest:

Mefenamic acid: new polymorph or crystal defect?

Mefenamic acid has variable bioavailability and tabletting issues because of its hydrophobic nature and poor material characteristics. Recrystallization of mefenamic acid was performed from three different solvent–solvent mixtures under differing conditions. The crystals obtained were screened for the existence of new crystal properties or polymorphic forms, then characterized further.


Marion Chatfield

Latest:

Risk-Based Intermediate Precision Studies for Analytical Procedure Validation

Validation of analytical procedures require assessment of the impact of variations within laboratories; however, guidance to study intermediate precision has been lacking. Science and risk-based principles should be used in the design of intermediate precision studies.


Claudia Aguirre-Mendez

Latest:

A Raman spectroscopic method to monitor magnesium stearate in blends and tablets

A new Raman spectroscopic method to detect magnesium stearate in powder blends and tablets is described. High-volume pharmaceutical manufacturing requires the use of lubricants to facilitate tablet ejection from compressing machines. However, lubricants may also bring a number of undesired problems that have been widely documented in pharmaceutical scientific literature. New analytical methods are needed to understand lubrication and provide process knowledge in support of FDA's process analytical technology initiative. The detection of magnesium stearate in lactose, mannitol, corn starch and other commercially important excipients is reported. The Raman spectroscopic method has a detection limit of about 0.1% (w/w) based on the 2848 cm-1 band that corresponds to the symmetric stretch of the methylene group in magnesium stearate.


H. Krarup

Latest:

Manual versus Automated Actuation of Nasal Sprays: Applications for Droplet Sizing

Automated actuation of nasal sprays removes operator bias during measurement of particle size, spray-plume geometry, and delivered dose.


Terry Thompson

Latest:

The Validation and Implementation of a Chromatography Data System

This article describes the approach used to upgrade a chromatography data system. The upgrade was required to meet the current regulatory requirements for good laboratory and good manufacturing practice. Compliance with 21 CFR Part 11 for electronic records and electronic signatures was also a major consideration. The procedures used for this project followed the software development life cycle (SDLC) and involved the co-ordination of personnel from the software vendor, the user department, information technology and quality assurance.


Rodolfo J. Romanach

Latest:

PAT — a team effort

The biggest benefit of PAT and the current FDA initiatives may be in allowing pharmaceutical scientists to use their technical capabilities to improve pharmaceutical processes.


Alan Barkely

Latest:

The Use of Acrylic Resins for Improved Aqueous Enteric Coating

Recent technology improvements have made acrylics the preferred system for the aqueous enteric coating of tablets


Brendan Fish

Latest:

Avoiding pitfalls in scaling up biopharmaceutical production

The scale-up of manufacturing processes to clinical production can be complicated and expensive, with many issues to consider. This article describes some of the common and less obvious pitfalls encountered by biopharmaceutical companies when scaling up protein production processes, and how to avoid them.


Qun Shao

Latest:

Artificial intelligence the key to process understanding

In recent years, AI has become important in a number of fields in helping to make better use of information, increasing efficiency and enhancing productivity.


Alexander V. Kabanov

Latest:

Polymers for CNS drug delivery

There is a tremendous need to enhance delivery of potential therapeutics to the brain for treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. The blood brain barrier (BBB) restricts and controls the exchange of compounds between the CNS and the blood, which requires discovery of new modalities allowing for effective drug delivery to the CNS. Polymer nanotechnology has now become one of the most attractive areas of pharmaceutical research. This review focuses on the current progress in polymeric nanoparticles, where the specific arrangement of the polymeric matter at the nanoscale is utilized to design drug delivery systems that provide safe and efficient transport of CNS drugs across the BBB.


Richard Williams

Latest:

Avoiding pitfalls in scaling up biopharmaceutical production

The scale-up of manufacturing processes to clinical production can be complicated and expensive, with many issues to consider. This article describes some of the common and less obvious pitfalls encountered by biopharmaceutical companies when scaling up protein production processes, and how to avoid them.


David Leitham

Latest:

Pharmaceutical LIMS — finding your way to the best solution

Vendors who insist on using older and outdated technologies will eventually suffer increased pressure to follow the lead of those who adopt new technologies.


Robert J. Keller

Latest:

The Effect of Vaporous Phase Hydrogen Peroxide on Sterility Test Devices

Closed and disposable sterility testing devices reduce the risk of false positive results during sterility testing. To further prevent such results, some pharmaceutical manufacturers use the device inside a sterility testing isolator, which is decontaminated using sterilant gases or vapours. In this study, closed, disposable sterility test devices were exposed to two 90 minute vaporous phase hydrogen peroxide (VPHP) decontamination cycles within a sterility testing isolator and tested for device integrity, bacteriostasis/fungistasis and non-volatile residue content. The results showed that the VPHP used to decontaminate the isolator before sterility testing did not affect the device.


Motonari Deguchi

Latest:

The Application of Robotics to Aseptic Environmental Surface Monitoring

This article presents a study of an aseptic environmental monitoring system for surface contamination at critical areas using a robot.


Duncan Thompson

Latest:

FMEA tool

This downloadable Failure Mode Effect Analysis tool accompanies the article titled 'The Application of Quality by Design to Analytical Methods' by Phil Borman et. al.


Mayumi Maruyama

Latest:

The Application of Robotics to Aseptic Environmental Surface Monitoring

This article presents a study of an aseptic environmental monitoring system for surface contamination at critical areas using a robot.


Marcel de Matas

Latest:

Artificial intelligence the key to process understanding

In recent years, AI has become important in a number of fields in helping to make better use of information, increasing efficiency and enhancing productivity.


Christie Deitz

Latest:

A Look at 30 Years of Change in Pharmaceutical Automation

Automation took hold gradually in the life-science industry. Its adoption brought the industry innovations and improved efficiency. Recent years witnessed the emergence of batch-automation systems and the development of standards for automation. The authors discuss the major changes automation brought to the industry and examine the rapid pace of technological development.


T.H. Meltzer, PhD

Latest:

Filter Integrity Testing in Liquid Applications, Revisited Part II

In the concluding part of this article, the authors address diffusive-airflow imprecisions and measurements as well as automated integrity-test equipment, variations in bubble-point measurements, and the identification of a "sterilizing" filter.


J. Sebastian Kærger

Latest:

Carriers for DPIs: formulation and regulatory challenges

The presence of very low levels of residues (including solvents) in excipients is becoming an important issue for users, and the presence of very low levels of ?non-lactose? species in DPI lactose may pose challenges to suppliers and users.


Kathryn Hipkins

Latest:

Calorimetry — the fully scalable PAT tool

To date, calorimetry has not been given a fair trial in the PAT arena. Recent advances in reactor technology and design will ensure that real-time calorimetry is the present and future of PAT.


Susan Aldridge

Latest:

Therapeutic antibodies: the next generation

The identification of an increasing number of drug targets coupled with advances in manufacturing technology could lead to many more blockbuster therapeutic antibodies.


Colin Keary

Latest:

Scale-up trials of foam-granulation technology — high shear

The authors evaluate the scalability of foam-granulation technology using continuous foam addition in high-shear granulation equipment at the laboratory, pilot and manufacturing scales. Immediate- and controlled-release model formulations were used. Continuous and batch addition of foam were compared for the controlled-release model formulation at the manufacturing scale, and physical testing was performed on the granules and finished tablets.


Naidong Weng

Latest:

Systematic Troubleshooting for LC/MS/MS

Meeting the challenges of large-scale LC/MS/MS such as elminating carr-over and matrix effects can increase sensitivity and improve turnaround times.


Tomoo Matsuoka

Latest:

The Application of Robotics to Aseptic Environmental Surface Monitoring

This article presents a study of an aseptic environmental monitoring system for surface contamination at critical areas using a robot.


Harry G. Brittain, PhD

Latest:

Determination by Analytical Sieving: Particle-Size Distribution, Part III

The author discusses the use of analytical sieving to determine the size distribution of granular and course powders and describes proper sieve construction and USP General Test {786&#125.


Bob Lenich

Latest:

A Look at 30 Years of Change in Pharmaceutical Automation

Automation took hold gradually in the life-science industry. Its adoption brought the industry innovations and improved efficiency. Recent years witnessed the emergence of batch-automation systems and the development of standards for automation. The authors discuss the major changes automation brought to the industry and examine the rapid pace of technological development.


Rong-Kun Chang

Latest:

Common Deficiencies in ANDAs for Dermatologic Drug Products

Companies may potentially accelerate the approval of generic drugs by avoiding deficiencies in ANDA submissions.


Ivars Bemberis

Latest:

Qualification of a Chromotographic Column

In this article, five industry experts share their insights to ensure that your column qualification protocols can survive the increased scrutiny of FDA inspectors.