AM Technology joins EU-funded flow chemistry project
14 Sep 2009
Runcorn, UK - AM Technology has joined an EU-funded project to develop flow processes for industrial synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds. The ‘Pharmagen project’ is being coordinated by Serichim Srl and has other five partners; Flamma SA, Apotechnia SA, Carbopharm GmbH, PSE Ltd and LD&TI Sri. This work is being funded by the EU Commision DG Research within the VII Framework Program for Research and Development.
Global manufacturing costs, for pharmaceutical products in 2008 exceeded $200 billion. Greater use of flow chemistry within the industry will bring substantial benefits in terms of reduced manufacturing costs, lower carbon footprints and less pollution.
Developing flow chemistry techniques for industrial pharmaceutical processes however faces a variety of technical and regulatory hurdles. The Pharmagen project will use a multi disciplinary approach for tackling these problems, according to AM Technology.
“Simultaneously controlling axial dispersion, mixing rate and reaction time in flow reactors can be very difficult, particularly where there is more than one phase,” said Robert Ashe of AM Technology. “This project brings together an outstanding combination of skills from manufacturing, simulation, engineering and chemistry. This approach will greatly accelerate the problem solving process in what is a complex area of process control.”
AM Technology was selected as partners on this project for their experience and knowhow in reactor design. Based in Cheshire UK, the company has experience in the design and construction of both batch and continuous reactors. Its patented Coflore ACR (Agitated Cell Reactor) is claimed to be the first truly modular multi-stage CSTR and a breakthrough in flow reactor design.
Dynamic mixers combined with multiple reaction stages, give the ACR advanced levels on mixing, plug flow and versatility. The ACR is designed for use with multi-phase mixtures and its inherently low pressure drop characteristics can simplify selection and calibration of the flow pumps.
