GEA Pharma Systems joined forces with Evonik
Industries last month to present their first ever joint symposium on
‘Scale up of Oral Solid Dosage Forms’. The event was held at the Hotel Bad
Bubendorf in Switzerland and co-hosted by Dr. Harald Stahl of GEA Pharma
Systems and Dr. Bridgitte Skalsky of Evonik Röhm GmbH.
The two-day event was attended by 23 managers and senior scientists
from 13 different countries, who came to listen to technical experts from GEA,
Evonik scientists and representatives of the wider pharmaceutical industry
offer information, advice and opinions on their specialist subjects.
The challenges experienced in the scale-up of solid dose
processes
During day one Dr. Stahl talked about the challenges
experienced in the scale-up of solid dose processes and, in a separate
presentation he discussed fluid bed processes with particular regard for drying
and particle coating. Dr. Skalsky delivered a 45-min presentation on processing
using EUDRAGIT® polymers. Dr. Christian Meier from Evonik Röhm GmbH
also spoke about EUDRAGIT® but this time specifically about their
physico-chemical characteristics. Dr. Michael Melichar from GEA Pharma
Systems explored the ways in which PAT (Process Analytical Technology)
supports the scale-up of processing.
Case study of fluid bed
coating
Dr. Iris Ziegler from Nycomed spoke on the
relevance of design space as a success factor in scale-up; and Dr. Xiaomnig
Li from Eli Lilly presented a case study of fluid bed coating. These two
guest speakers bought the formal part of day one to a close.
Scale-up of Solid Dosage Workshop
GPS Tech
Centre
On day two, the whole group was transferred to the GEA
Technology Centre (GPS TC) - also in Bubendorf for practical demonstrations on:
sustained release particle coating, high sheer mixing, tabletting,
spheronization, and equipment cleaning. There then followed a tour through the
GEA facilities. In the afternoon the group discussed case studies on taste
masking, enteric coating of crystals, the curing of EUDRAGIT®, fast-dissolving
tablets, fluid bed techniques for particle coating, and PAT.
Good information exchanged After the symposium Dr.
Harald Stahl said that it had been a thoroughly enjoyable two days and very
worthwhile. “There was a lot of good information exchanged between the speakers
and the attendees,” he said. “We all came away having learned a great deal. I
am particularly grateful to our guest speakers for their invaluable
contribution and to Evonik Industries for their partnership in this venture.”
GEA intends to continue its programme of technical seminars and, where
appropriate, to present them with partner companies.
Learn more about future events
Or contact:
Dr. Harald
Stahl -
Senior Pharmaceutical Technologist
GEA Pharma
Systems
Tel: +49 6349 927706
Fax: +49 6349 963 9898
harald.stahl@geagroup.com