University of Strathclyde - Articles and news items

University opens £36 million facility for pharmacy and biomedical sciences

Industry news, News / 31 October 2011 / University of Strathclyde

A pioneering research institute to drive forward the search for new and better medicines – and inspire the scientists of tomorrow – will open at the University of Strathclyde today (Monday 31 October 2011).

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Polymorph screening in pharmaceutical development

Issue 4 2010 / 19 August 2010 / Professor Alastair J. Florence, Solid-State Research Group, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde

The majority of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are produced by crystallisation and so the phenomenon of polymorphism, whereby an organic molecule can adopt more than one crystalline form (Figure 1 ), is of considerable importance when trying to achieve consistent product quality during the manufacture of pharmaceutical solids and solid dosage forms. Although morphology and particle size-distribution are important solid-state characteristics, the uncontrolled occurrence of multiple physical forms (polymorphs, solvates, salts, co-crystals or amorphous) of an API can have significant effects on the performance of the material during processing, manufacture, storage and administration. For example, the solubility difference between some polymorphs has been shown to be over four times that of the least soluble form1 and can vary by significantly more for amorphous forms2. (more…)

The weakest link is getting stronger

Issue 6 2009, Past issues / 12 December 2009 /

The manufacture of sterile products attracts the greatest regulatory scrutiny of all product types, since manufacturing failures can be fatal and manufacturers are required to utilise the most robust sterilisation method possible to limit the probability of this occurring. However, aseptic preparation, which is the last resort manufacturing method, continues to be employed since for sensitive products this is the only feasible route. Aseptic preparation has always suffered from the potential for undetected, or undetectable, microbial ingress occurring during the manipulation of sterile components. The implementation of isolator systems have provided an advance over standard clean rooms technologies and the weakest link of aseptic preparation is getting stronger. (more…)

Cost, knowledge and convenience: facing the facts

Issue 1 2006, Past issues / 2 February 2006 / Professor David Littlejohn, Head of the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry at the University of Strathclyde, Director of CPACT at the University of Strathclyde

There can be no doubt that the FDA’s initiative on Process Analytical Technologies (PAT) has had an enormous impact on the pharmaceutical industries. However, the emergence of ’born again‘ PAT devotees in pharma companies has caused mild amusement in other industries where on-line analysis has been an integral part of (more…)