Huxley Bertram partners with CMAC research hub to provide leading-edge Compaction Simulation Test Facility

Cambridge, UK: – High performance powder compaction specialist Huxley Bertram (HB) has partnered with the Centre for Continuous Manufacturing and Advanced Crystallization (CMAC) future manufacturing research hub in Glasgow to provide a world-class source of compaction simulation R&D services.

Together they have established a Compaction Simulation Test Facility providing highly advanced research Services through CMAC’s National Facility team at University of Strathclyde, supported by HB instrumentation and expertise.

Combined know-how

The initiative combines HB’s expertise in high performance machines and tablet press simulators with CMAC’s academic and scientific knowhow, along with its advanced laboratory facilities.

First founded as a pilot scheme in December 2020, the Test Facility has proved very successful in offering a unique portfolio of compaction simulation conducted using HB platforms and instruments, supported by analytical services from the CMAC team. Based on success achieved over the past 18 months, the Test Facility is now established as a commercial service.

Advanced instrumentation

The initiative is supported by the partnership between Huxley Bertram and the CMAC Future Manufacturing Research Hub, based at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland.

An HB50 Huxley Bertram Tablet Compaction Simulator specified with instrumented dies and innovative process analytics for in-situ measurements using terahertz spectroscopy has been installed at CMAC’s facilities, where research is being led by academics and scientists with expertise in compaction simulation. Huxley Bertram’s Cambridge-based staff are also providing advanced application and engineering support to the Test Facility.

Compaction Simulation Contract Services

The Test Facility is now able to offer varying levels of Compaction Simulation services and development on a contract basis. These include a range of highly specialized services that include:

• Material characterization and advanced compaction studies of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API’s), excipients, and blends
• Routine powder characterization, constitutive analysis (axial stress/strain
• Compatibility, compressibility, and tableting studies
• Radial analysis (Instrumented Dies)
• Advanced compaction studies: radial analysis, frictionless ejection
• Die compaction (rotary press) roll compaction and capsule tamping
• High-fidelity rotary press simulation, including hybrid MODUL simulations
• Material-sparing replication of direct compression and dry granulation processes (DC/DG)
• Formulation assistance and optimization, including lubrication studies
• Formulation design, development, and scale-up
• Process Understanding Development
• Compaction and materials science understanding by pairing compaction simulation with advanced characterization techniques: X-ray computed nanotomography, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry
• Compaction thermodynamics, in-die temperature evolution
• Microstructure analysis using terahertz spectroscopy and x-ray computer nanotomography
• Troubleshooting of clinical and commercial die compaction processes.

About Huxley Bertram

Huxley Bertram Ltd. (HB) produces its range of high performance powder compaction machines and tablet press simulators from its modern design and production facility situated in the hi-tech hub of Cambridgeshire in the UK.

HB Powder Compacting Machines and Equipment are ideally suited to the development of new powder formulations, with leading-edge technology and precision engineering that allow HB presses to simulate high speed production processes whilst recording accurate process data to optimize production quality and efficiency.

The superior attributes of the Huxley Bertram tablet press simulators are recognized by the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies for use in their process analytical technology (PAT) and Quality by Design (QbD) methods.

HB Powder Compaction Simulator machines, software and instrumentation are designed to meet the needs of formulation scientists and production engineers, and ranges from economic benchtop fixtures to high-end tablet compaction simulators offering OEB Level 5 containment for work with highly potent compounds.

Huxley Bertram powder compression systems are engineered to be simple to install and easy to maintain, while minimizing material and tooling costs. They are CE certified and comply with UL requirements, manufactured and tested in-house at Huxley Bertram’s  ISO 9001:2015 certificated facilities.

Learn more at: https://huxleybertram.com

About CMAC

The Centre for Continuous Manufacturing and Advanced Crystallization (CMAC) is a world-leading research center located within the Technology & Innovation Centre at University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland.

CMAC’s mission is to deliver value to its stakeholders by creating new science, innovative technologies and a future workforce supporting the adoption of advanced CMC development and manufacturing approaches to enable future drug substance and drug product supply.

The Centre applies a unique configuration of academic research, applied and precompetitive programs and translation to industry models in its work with Tier 1, Tier 2, academic and innovation partners to transform medicines development, manufacture & supply.

Over the past decade, CMAC has established a vibrant portfolio of pre-competitive multidisciplinary collaborative research, training and translation projects, within a world class facility.

Further information at: https://cmac.ac.uk

Resources

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