K-Tron, Mixing Consultants Collaborating on Pharmaceutical Process Design Seminar

K-Tron Process Group has formally announced its collaboration with Mixing Consultants Inc. on a technical seminar, “Advances in Pharmaceutical Process Design”, October 27-29, 2010 in Bethesda, MD and December 8-10 in Helsinki, Finland.

The seminar will be presented by academic experts from Rutgers University along with recognized process industry experts in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Co-sponsors include Freeman Technology, Glatt Air Technology, and Gericke. It will offer detailed process and analytical information about key topics and trends in pharmaceutical processing, including:

* Powder Processing Fundamentals: Tablets, Capsules & Aerosols
Seminar topic offers an overview of powder-based products, including tablets, capsules, and aerosol products. Details are presented relating to powder sampling, NIR Spectroscopy, and other PAT methods. Course further highlights the fundamentals of batch powder mixing, powder segregation, and agglomeration. Powder lubrication and over-lubrication is addressed, and new technical solutions for automated NIR applications in powder blending are presented.

* QbD Methodologies: Effect of Material Properties on Product Performance
Seminar presents an overview of statistical characterization of materials, products, and processes, with a focus on the critical material properties to consider, including cohesion, density, hydrophobicity, and electrostatics. Process parameters are detailed, including shear, strain, compression force, and speed. Course further highlights the effects of material properties on product performance, including a QbD approach to tablet dissolution, hardness, and CU. Seminar topic concludes with a highlight on measuring and understanding powder flow.

* Continuous Manufacturing: Loss-in-Weight Feeding and Refill
Seminar topic presents the theoretical aspects and main design principles of continuous mixing processes. The operational principles of loss-in-weight feeders and their refill in continuous operations is presented, along with case studies utilizing loss-in-weight feeders and continuous mixers. Continuous manufacturing seminar further discusses roller compaction, tabletting, and encapsulation, and concludes with a discussion on the general design principles required for continuous manufacturing operations.

Industry expert presenters include:

Dr. Fernando Muzzio, Ph.D:  professor, Rutgers University, Director Engineering Research Center on Structured Organic Particulate Systems – leading expert on pharmaceutical powder processing

Mr. Tim Freemen: director of operations, Freeman Technology - recognized expert in powder flow-ability in relation to processing and formulation development.

Mr. Ralf Kretzschmar: president, Glatt Systemtechnik GmbH - recognized expert in pharmaceutical manufacturing, with focus in powder handling

Ms. Sharon Nowak: global business development manager, K-Tron Process Group - leading expert in macro/micro feeding and conveying pharmaceuticals

Dr. Ralf Weinekötter: general manager, Gericke AG - leading expert in the design and implementation of continuous powder handling, feeding, and mixing systems.
   
For more information and to register, visit www.ktron.com/seminars.