In Search of Quality

With a variety of pharmaceutical events on the horizon, it seems timely to consider powder characterisation in the context of Quality by Design. Fundamental to QbD is the premise that optimised pharmaceutical manufacturing requires detailed understanding of products and processes. With this in mind, the benefits of marrying modern powder characterisation techniques with real processing experience are rapidly becoming clear.

Too often powders display their complex behaviour in uncontrolled ways, potentially compromising both process operation and final product quality. Those working with powders have always amassed experience through successful problem solving, but until recently more fundamental knowledge has been relatively scarce. Now, however, the techniques available for characterising powder behaviour make it increasingly easy to marry experience and information, correlating process behaviour with a range of powder characteristics. Such correlations, developed using shear, dynamic and bulk property measurements to rationalise experience, extend our basic understanding and make for better powder formulation and improved process design.

Reg Freeman, Managing Director

1 ml Shear Cell

Coming into its own for pharmaceutical applications, the 1 ml Shear Cell for the FT4 Powder Rheometer will be on show at the Interphex conference and exposition in Philadelphia. This recently-introduced accessory allows fully automated shear testing of powders using the minimum possible volume of sample. The ability to use such small amounts of material is critically important when studying powder flowability characteristics at an early stage of formulation development.

For full details click here.

FT4 aids inhaler research

Researchers at the University of Bath in the UK are using the FT4 Powder Rheometer to understand and optimise the performance of dry powder inhalers (DPIs). Recently published data highlight a direct correlation between the flow properties of excipient powders, measured with the FT4 under aerating conditions, and the effectiveness of drug delivery of carrier based DPI formulations.

Access the published paper at: Pharmaceutical Research, February 2008

Invited presentation

Tim Freeman will speak on "Predicting Process Behaviour of Particulate Materials through the measurement of Bulk, Flow and Shear Properties" at this year’s Arden House European Conference in the UK: Particle and powder technologies. The 3-day conference, which takes place at the end of March, is presented by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, in partnership with the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists. Freeman Technology will also be demonstrating the FT4 Powder Rheometer and its range of accessories

Download the abstract at click here.

Growing Again

Continued sales growth in 2008 has seen us adding further to the team at Freeman's UK headquarters. New production and engineering capabilities, including software development and IT, as well as expanded sales and admin teams, keep us on top form in delivering the high level of customer support for which we are known. Your feedback on our performance is always welcome - simply email info@freemantech.co.uk with any comments.

Sharing our experience

Since winning the Queen's Award for Enterprise last year, Freeman Technology has been invited to participate in a number of business-related activities. Most recently Reg Freeman joined UK business leaders in attending the Annual Lord Mayor's Trade and Industry Dinner held at the Mansion House in London on 27 February.

With a packed conference schedule this year we very much look forward to meeting you at:

26 - 28 March 2008

Philadelphia PA, USA
Booth # 1169

31 March - 2 April 2008

Tim Freeman will present: 'Predicting Process Behaviour of Particulate Materials through the measurement of Bulk, Flow and Shear Properties'

London, UK

6 - 8 May 2008

Rosemont IL, USA

8 - 12 June 2008

Washington D.C, USA

2 - 4 September 2008

Stratford, UK

30 Sep - 2 Oct 2008

NürnbergMesse GmbH, Nürnberg, Germany
Hall 6, Stand 450

16 - 20 November 2008

Atlanta GA, USA
Booth #540