Showing posts with label pharmaceutical. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pharmaceutical. Show all posts

Sunday, September 10, 2017

Batch Processing vs. Continuous Manufacturing in Pharmaceuticals

Not much has changed in pharmaceutical manufacturing over the last 50 years. While technological advancements in creating new drugs have been made, the pharmaceutical industry still relies heavenly on traditional step-by-step batch processing.

Alternatively, continuous manufacturing, which is the preferred manufacturing process in automotive, food & beverage, and refining industries – has been slow to gain acceptance in pharmaceutical production, largely because of high startup costs.


Batch Processing vs. Continuous Manufacturing

Comparisons


Batch Manufacturing:

All materials are charged before the start of processing and discharged at the end of
processing.

  • Examples: Bin blending, lyophilization, some reactions

Continuous Manufacturing

Material is simultaneously charged and discharged from the process

  • Examples: Petroleum refining, much of food processing

VARIATIONS


Semi-Batch (Fed-batch)Manufacturing

Materials are added during processing and discharged at the end of processing.

  • Examples: Wet granulation, fermentation

Semi-Continuous Manufacturing

Like continuous manufacturing, but for a discrete time period.

  • Examples: Roller compaction, tablet compression

Batch Processing


Although reliable, batch processing is viewed a slower manufacturing method for pharmaceuticals, and also less safe because of higher risk for contamination and errors between steps. Pharmaceutical manufacturers have no choice but to continually evaluate and implement the best possible production processes. Considering an estimated $50 billion per year is wasted on on inefficient processes in the pharmaceutical industry, it makes great sense to migrate toward continuous manufacturing.

Continuous Manufacturing

Continuous manufacturing is faster, more efficient, and inherently safer. Improved safety is derived from rigid quality control requirements in continuous manufacturing. Considering this, the concern over large plant and equipment outlays looses is impact. Many experts maintain that continuous manufacturing is ultimately a far less costly production process (considering efficiency and safety), once the initial plant, equipment, and training costs are amortized.