GOALI: Processing and Optimization of Multilayered Pharmaceutical Tablets

该奖项是根据2009年《美国复苏和再投资法案》(公法111-5)提供资金的。该项目是德雷克塞尔大学和默克公司的合作项目，旨在解决多层平板电脑的加工和优化问题。多层片剂正成为并存的医疗条件和多种药物治疗的关键给药方式。这些平板电脑在生产和储存过程中往往会分裂。需要对其设计和加工进行科学优化，以确保设计质量。为此，该项目的目标包括：(A)实验探索多层片剂的分裂倾向；(B)研究其非线性力学行为；(C)对界面附近的应力进行连续和中尺度模拟；(D)验证模型预测；以及(E)生成将工艺参数与多层片剂的性能联系起来的加工图。将两种药物组合在一片中是在开发共存疾病或联合药物治疗的新疗法方面向前迈出的重要一步。这项工作的成果将会促进产业创新和生产力，并直接影响到消费者？健康和潜在的成本效益。该项目将在产业界和学术界之间提供一条沟通渠道。默克公司将为本科生和研究生提供实习合作机会。本科生对这个项目的进一步参与将通过德雷克塞尔的NSF-REU网站DREAM来实现。默克公司的研究人员将在德雷克塞尔大学休工业假。一年一度的用户小组会议将包括来自PA-NJ-DE地区制药公司的科学家。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). This project is a collaboration between Drexel University and Merck Inc & Co and addresses the processing and optimization of multilayered tablets. Multilayer tablets are becoming a key drug delivery method for coexisting medical conditions and multidrug therapies. These tablets tend to split during production and storage. A science-based optimization of their design and processing is needed to ensure quality by design. To this end, the goals of this project include: (a) experimental probing of the propensity of multilayer tablets to splitting (b) study of their nonlinear mechanical behavior, (c) continuum and mesoscale modeling of the stresses near the interface, (d) validation of model prediction, and (e) generation of processing maps that link process parameters and properties of multilayered tablets. The combination of two medications in one tablet is a major step forward in the development of novel therapies of coexisting conditions or combination drug treatments. The results of this work will promote industrial innovation and productivity with direct effects on consumers? health and potential cost benefits. This project will provide a communication conduit between industry and academia. Co-op opportunities for undergraduate and graduate internships will be set-up at Merck. Further involvement of undergraduates in this project will be implemented through the NSF-REU Site DREAM at Drexel. Merck researchers will take industrial sabbaticals at Drexel University. Annual user group meetings will include scientists from pharmaceutical companies in the PA-NJ-DE area.