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Article / Apr 28, 2023

Capsule filling for DPIs - Linking Process scales through advanced characterisation and Quality by Design

ONDrugDelivery, 28 April 2023

Capsule filling for DPIs | Hovione

In this article, Rui Churro, PhD, Senior Scientist, Carolina Lopes, Associate Scientist, and João Pires, PhD, R&D Manager, all of Hovione’s Inhalation and Advanced Drug Delivery group, discuss the value of rheological characterisation of powders to expedite and de-risk the scale-up of DPI capsule-filling processes.

Composite particles are gaining traction as an alternative formulation strategy for dry powder inhalers. Typically, these engineered particles present low densities and small aerodynamic particle size, promoting an effective delivery to the lung. However, these unique properties can also raise operational challenges, such as poor flowability and powder agglomeration, during downstream filling processes. Since dry powder inhalers may contain doses as low as few milligrams, it is essential to understand the rheologic properties of the filled powders and select the best filling technology/conditions towards reaching the required filling accuracy.

Hovione has been deeply investing in developing formulation/process development strategies together with... Read more

 

 

 

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Integrated approach simplifies development, reduces risk, and supports scalable manufacturing. Hovione and Industrial Design Consultancy Ltd.’s (IDC) lead single-use nasal dry powder device is now available for commercial partnerships. Hovione and IDC have completed the device design and established initial device manufacturing and supply capability, enabling pharmaceutical partners to leverage existing capsule filling infrastructure. This approach simplifies development, reduces cost and risk, and helps shorten timelines to the clinic and commercialization. “This milestone marks an important step in the evolution of our collaboration with IDC — from device innovation to a fully integrated intranasal drug delivery platform,” said Márcio Temtem, Ph.D., Vice President, Strategic Business Management, Hovione. “As the industry looks for faster, more reliable ways to bring complex therapies to patients, integration becomes critical. By bringing together nasal particle engineering science, formulation manufacturing and filling, and device technologies into a single offering, we enable a more seamless and predictable development journey, accelerating the path to market for intranasal therapies.” The nasal delivery device enables broad and targeted nasal deposition flexibility while delivering maximum usability and reliability. With a patented design and manufacturing process established, the platform is available for partnering with pharmaceutical companies on an exclusive basis as part of Hovione’s integrated offering for inhalation and nasal drug development and manufacturing. Additionally, IDC’s Managing Director, Stephen Knowles Ph.D., said the companies are now “well-advanced” with the development of a multi-use device to support an even wider range of therapies and patient needs. Read the full article at ContractPharma.com    

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