teaser
A team of Australian drug science researchers are using Freeman Technology’s FT4 universal powder tester to develop methods of improving the flow properties of excipients used to carry inhaled drugs.
The team, led by Dr David Morton at Monash University, has shown that the dynamic qualities of excipients such as lactose can be measured more accurately with the FT4 tester than using conventional techniques.
Lactose is commonly used as a carrier for the very fine active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in inhaled formulations to improve delivery.
One method of improving flow properties is by applying a very thin magnesium stearate coating using mechanofusion.
Using the FT4 to compare the influence on the powder behaviour of this technique with a conventional blending approach, the Monash team showed mechanofusion to be more effective.
The Monash University team now plans to use the FT4 to define parameters that enable the prediction of both in-process flow behaviour and aerosolisation.
Copyright Press Association 2009
