At the heart of GEA's small-scale and R&D approach is PharmaConnect™, which allows a number of diverse process modules to be docked to a single control unit.
At the heart of GEA's small-scale and R&D approach is PharmaConnect™, which allows a number of diverse process modules to be docked to a single control unit.
GEA's complete contained Granulation line for research and development, takes the process from dispensed raw materials to finished tablet. The system on show clearly demonstrates the flexibility that can be achieved throughout the process – including high shear granulation, pelletization and blending, drying & milling – in a totally contained environment. It illustrates how GEA's inspired technology can be selected to form a total solution tailored to suit each user’s specific requirements, whether through integration or split valve or disposable containment technology.
Based on GEA's market-leading granulation technologies and designed for laboratory through to pilot plant scale, the PharmaConnect™ can process batches from 200 g to 25 kg or more, all from a single control unit.
The PharmaConnect™ is not just limited to granulation; its unique design allows any number of process technologies to be operated from the single operator interface, including
Two versions of the control unit are available: a through-the-wall option and a mobile module. The unit also features a touchscreen user interface, a module drive motor and GEA’s Module Recognition System (MRS), which automatically detects the type and capacity of the connected module, seamlessly displaying an image of the process on-screen and both enabling and defining the correct operational set points and parameters.
PharmaConnect™ is true PAT-compatible, cGMP-compliant, plug-and-play solution for the busy formulation scientist.
Equipment Size | Typical Minimum Batch @ 0.6sg | Typical Maximum Batch @ 0.6sg |
1 | 240 g | 450 g |
3 | 720 g | 1.35 g |
5 | 1.2 kg | 2.25 kg |
Equipment Size | Typical Minimum Batch @ 0.6sg | Typical Maximum Batch @ 0.6sg |
10 | 2.4 kg | 4.5 kg |
15 | 3.6 kg | 6.75 kg |
Equipment Size | Typical Minimum Batch @ 0.6sg | Typical Maximum Batch @ 0.6sg |
20 | 4.8 kg | 9 kg |
30 | 7.2 kg | 13.5 kg |
60 | 14.4 kg | 27 kg |
High Speed Blender Module featuring a single, bottom driven impeller, the TRV is a high speed blending unit that is particularly suitable for the rapid batch blending of small quantities of active pharmaceutical ingredients with base excipients, typical of inhalable products.
By combining the high surface area of the main impeller blade with the directional effects of the feeder blade, rapid, homogenous and stable blends can be produced in a reproducible manner.
For more than 40 years, Turbo Rapid machines have delivered high intensity blending solutions for dry powders. The unique, high speed TRV impeller blades provide the homogeneity and stability that are key factors in the production of inhalable drugs.
Available with working capacities from 150 g up to 30 kg, the TRV is available as a standalone or PharmaConnect™ options.
PharmaConnect™ primary granulation processes are based around GEA's established PMA™ granulator technology, providing the user with the ability to process batches from 100 g up to 25 kg and over.
Available as a through-the-wall or mobile unit.
A range of standard bowl sizes are available to handle batch quantities of
1-3 L for development scale (the optimal choice for recipe and process development using very small quantities of active material); 5, 10 and 15 L (an intermediate scale for continued product development; and 30 and 60 L for pilot-scale production. However, the modular format of PharmaConnect™ allows special modules to be used for customer-specific needs, such as non-standard capacities, different shapes or even different materials such as glass.
Extrusion and Spheronization: Pharmaceutical pellets offer many additional features compared with conventional tablets.
GEA is able to offer all the typically used pelletization processes and assist with the selection of the process that best suits your needs.
Designed specifically as a pelletization system for the pharmaceutical industry and able to pelletize small batches (50 g) using the operating principles of larger pilot-scale and production machines, the NICA™ IPS-5 extruder and spheronizer is the perfect development partner for the PharmaConnect™.
The NICA™ IPS5 operates exclusively as a process module on the GEA PharmaConnect™ platform, combining the NICA™ E100 basket extruder with the NICA™ S250 spheronizer.
Blender Module for Development and Pilot-Scale Applications
GEA's extensive process knowledge and continuous research delivers the most efficient mixers and blenders. We offer a wide range of technical solutions and process options to ensure efficient mixing and blending of pharmaceutical powders and granules.
GEA offers a range of contained sampling devices for the pharmaceutical industry. These devices are build around the Buck® valve technologies.
FlexStream™ is a new multi-purpose processor that addresses the current shortfalls of traditional fluid bed processing, including linear scale-up, fully contained loading and unloading for Pharmaceutical applications.
A complete range of technologies for R&D designed for specific applications, our small-scale range covers every aspect of pharma oral solid dosage production, from high shear mixers, fluid bed dryers and single pot systems to extruders and spheronizers, blenders and containment solutions, right through to tablet compression.
Whether the customer’s requirement is for high shear mixing or granulation, GEA has a solution for every processing challenge and can help select the technology that is most suitable for your Pharma application.
A disposable high containment Interface for the safe & dust-free transfer of solid dosage material to fully protect your operator, your product and the environment.
The Lighthouse Probe™ can be used for real-time monitoring of chemical and pharmaceutical processes and provides in-process window cleaning at any time, recalibration during the process, full CIP (cleaning) of wash housing and seal, and a clear view inside – even in difficult conditions.
The MODUL™ P, the smallest tablet press in the ECM-based MODUL™ series, is particularly suited for formulation development and small-scale production. The extremely short changeover time offered by the MODUL™ P results in a tremendous increase in productivity, especially when the production schedule involves a succession of many small batches.
Designed for small-scale granulation and research and development applications, particularly with potent actives, the PharmaConnect™ PLUS — based on the established combination of a single control unit with a diverse range of process modules — further benefits from both physical and control integration with GEA’s fluidized bed processors: the FlexStream™ 500 and the FlexStream™ 1000.
PMA™ High Shear and PMA-Advanced™ Mixer and Granulator is a multipurpose processor that's equally suitable for the high speed dispersion of dry powders, aqueous or solvent granulations, effervescent production and melt pelletization for Pharma applications.
UltimaPro™ Single Pot Processors (One-Pot Processor) offer a choice of mixing, granulation and drying options integrated into one processing vessel. With our help, choose the most appropriate technique for the product.