At Respiratory Drug Delivery (RDD) 2010, Freeman Technology, Welland, UK, highlighted the insight the FT4 Powder Rheometer offers DPI formulators including a presentation of work from the University of Bath showing a direct correlation between the measured dynamic powder properties and fine particle dose (FPD), a measure of drug delivery efficiency.
Dynamic powder characterization with the FT4 directly quantifies powder flowability and the response of a formulation to air, a critical property for successful DPI development. To ensure efficient drug delivery a DPI formulation/device combination must be engineered to achieve aerosolization of the dose to a respirable size during use. Research at the University of Bath has shown a robust correlation between FPD and aerated energy, a measure of how the flowability of the powder changes with the amount of air flowing through it. This makes the FT4 an extremely useful tool for the development of DPI formulations, which are required to disperse easily, with more consistent and less patient dependent performance.
The FT4 combines dynamic testing methodologies with shear and bulk property measurement, to provide comprehensive, process relevant powder characterisation. Precision engineering in combination with well-defined, automated test procedures deliver reproducibility and sensitivity. With application know-how that has been gained from 10 years working with industry, Freeman Technology also provides extensive powder processing expertise alongside the FT4 Powder Rheometer.
This news was featured in Drug Discovery & Development magazine: Vol. 13, No. 3, April 2010, p. 36.
Filed Under: Drug Discovery
