Pharmaceutical Technology Editors

Thermo Scientific Heracell VIOS 250i AxD CO2 Incubators | Image Credit – © Thermo Fisher Scientific

Thermo Fisher Scientific has introduced the Thermo Scientific Heracell VIOS 250i AxD CO2 Incubators, first-of-their-kind CO2 incubators designed for integration into automated and modular laboratories to support future implementation of automated cell therapy workflows. The VIOS family of incubators are known for optimal cell growth conditions and minimal contamination risk. The new Heracell VIOS 250i AxD incubators have the added innovation of a patent-pending automated door control, allowing them to open automatically when integrated into a centralized lab automation platform. The added innovation allows for vessel loading and unloading through robotic control and supports continuous cell therapy production processes. Other important features include in-chamber high efficiency particulate air filtration; Thermo Scientific THRIVE active airflow for homogeneous culturing conditions throughout the incubator chamber; and the Thermo Scientific Steri-Run Cycle, which is capable of a 12-log sterility assurance level, eliminating more than one million biological indicators for both dry heat sterilization and autoclave sterilization in half the lethal time used in production models.

Articles

The VIOS family of incubators are known for optimal cell growth conditions and minimal contamination risk.

CO2 Incubators

ROSS Model VCB-20 | Image Credit: ©Charles Ross & Son Company

ROSS V Cone Blenders utilize diffusion as the main mechanism for mixing. As the V-shaped vessel rotates on its horizontal axis, batch materials cascade down, distributing particles over a freshly exposed surface. Operating at speeds of 5 to 25 revolutions per minute, the ROSS line of tumble blenders can mix dry solid blends (including high density powders), low-viscosity slurries, friable materials, and formulations containing trace components and ingredients that are dissimilar in size, shape, and density.

The pictured ROSS Model VCB-20 includes two pneumatic cylinders affixed to the V cone body to disconnect and connect fiber drums for charging and discharging. The blender’s butterfly valve is operated by optional pneumatic control. A high-speed intensifier bar is installed along the mixer’s axis of rotation to reduce agglomerates, and nozzles can be attached to it for continuous liquid additions during mixing. The model also includes carbon steel legs with 40” clearance beneath the discharge valve to the floor, and safety guardrails at the front and rear of the mixer.

Charles Ross & Son's ROSS V Cone Blenders utilize diffusion as the main mechanism for mixing.

V-Shaped Cone Tumble Blender

Pharmafill TC4 tabletop tablet counter | Image Credit: ©Deitz

Deitz’s Pharmafill TC4 tabletop tablet counter includes an automatic feeder control system to ensure a consistent volume of tablets is fed onto a rotating disc for feeding to the counting sensor. The automatic feeding system features a proximity sensor assembly that automatically stops the flow of tablets from the hopper if the flow rate exceeds the pace of the operator filling the bottles. When ready for additional tablets, the system automatically restarts the vibratory feeder and restores product flow at the preset rate.

The TC4 is suitable for counting and filling capsules, gelcaps, pills, softgels, and other opaque, translucent, and transparent oral solid dosage forms. The compact electronic tablet counter achieves filling rates of up to 2000 tablets per minute, filling bottles up to 10 inches in height. The semi-automated pill counting machine comes with a two-year warranty and arrives ready to plug in to common 110 VAC electrical services.

Deitz’s Pharmafill TC4 tabletop tablet counter is suitable for counting and filling capsules, gelcaps, pills, softgels, and other opaque, translucent, and transparent oral solid dosage forms.

Electronic Tablet Counter with Automated Feed Control

ROSS FDA-3500 | © Charles Ross & Son Company

The ROSS line of Dual Shaft Mixers are robust, versatile systems with enough power to batch dispersions, suspensions, and emulsions with viscosities up to several hundred thousand centipoise. The custom-built ROSS FDA-3500 has a maximum working capacity of 3500 gallons, a two-zone stainless-steel dimpled jacket for heating/cooling, a 4-inch pneumatic discharge valve, and an explosion-proof load cell system rated for up to 20,000 lbs.

This multi-agitator system is equipped with independently controlled drives and is designed to efficiently produce good turnover and impart shear to a viscous batch. Powered by a 300 HP TEFC inverter duty motor, the High Speed Disperser runs at tip speeds up to 5000 ft. per minute, inducing high shear forces. Meanwhile, the 60 HP Three-Wing Helical Anchor Agitator feeds product towards the disperser blade and ensures that the mixture is constantly in motion. Teflon scrapers on the anchor wipe materials from the vessel wall, enhancing heat transfer from the jacket.

The ROSS line of Dual Shaft Mixers are robust, versatile systems with enough power to batch dispersions, suspensions, and emulsions with viscosities up to several hundred thousand centipoise. 

Dual Shaft Mixers Line

Serán, a contract development and manufacturing organization that provides a variety of solid oral dosage forms including tablets, capsules, granules, and powder-in-bottle, has expanded its early development capabilities with the SD-5, a new pre-clinical small-scale custom spray dryer. The SD-5 is the sixth custom spray dryer in operation at Serán, which aims to achieve high yields with batch sizes <50 mg of APIs. This capability enables rapid formulation screening of spray-dried dispersions with minimal API. The SD-5’s design minimizes equipment surface area on which unrecoverable product can build up and provides containment for potent pre-tox compounds. Lead formulations can then be scaled up on Serán’s SD-45 and SD-90 spray dryers to produce larger batches and process transfer into clinical manufacturing.

The SD-5 is the sixth custom spray dryer in operation at Serán, which aims to achieve high yields with batch sizes <50 mg of APIs. 

Pre-Clinical Small-Scale Custom Spray Dryer 

Univar Solutions' Grace Syloid FP and XDP Silica is a multifunctional excipient designed to solve powder flow and caking challenges in various pharmaceutical applications. Manufactured in the United States, Syloid silica is an engineered hydrated silicon dioxide produced under controlled conditions. It meets US Pharmacopeia, European Medicines Agency, Health Canada, and Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency requirements.

Syloid silica’s design combines adsorption capacity, particle size, density, and internal surface area to provide multifunctional benefits or to optimize an application. This is intended to help minimize the number of excipients used and simplify the complexity of formulations while expediting manufacturing and ultimately improving the efficacy of the final dosage form.

Univar Solution’s Grace Syloid FP and XDP Silica is a multifunctional excipient designed to solve powder flow and caking challenges in various pharmaceutical applications.  