Designing processes for drug substances and formulations
The shape, size, motion and interaction of particles all play a role in the manufacturing of medicines. This is true for small molecule drugs, which often rely on crystallisation, as well as for biologics, where the detection of impurities and cell biproducts is key.
We specialise in understanding particle characteristics and behaviour, and apply this knowledge to the design of pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
Our research group is part of the Institute for Pharma Technology and Biotechnology.
Research focus areas
Particle and process engineering
- Process configuration to generate desired crystal forms
- Combined reaction and separation systems that remove undesired products as they form
- Management of thermodynamic and kinetic competition in cocrystal production processes
Impact of particle morphology in drug product manufacturing
- Predicting the role of motion and physical interaction in groups of particles using the discrete element method (DEM) toward digital twins
- Hybrid modelling and decision frameworks for simple versus complex interactions
Process robustness
- Consistent process quality while reducing process cost through robustness and productivity metrics
- Process analytical technologies (PAT)
- Equipment automation including robotics
Facilities
Pharmaceutical process technology plant
Safe production of solid pharmaceutical dosage forms using innovative techniques and state-of-the-art equipment
- Institute
- Institute for Pharma Technology and Biotechnology
Contact
Prof. Thomas Vetter
Team leader Pharmaceutical Process Engineering
- Phone
- +41 61 228 56 14
- thomas.vetter@fhnw.ch