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Research ArticleResearch

Assessment of Sensor Concepts for 100% In-Process Control of Low-Volume Aseptic Fill-Finish Processes

Tim Dreckmann, Wolfgang Aipperspach, Kevin Pfleghar, Julien TrÖndle, Andreas Ernst, Joerg Huwyler, Imke-Sonja Ludwig and Joerg Luemkemann
PDA Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology November 2020, 74 (6) 660-673; DOI: https://doi.org/10.5731/pdajpst.2019.011270
Tim Dreckmann
1F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland;
3Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, 4056 Basel
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  • For correspondence: tim.dreckmann@roche.com
Wolfgang Aipperspach
2BiofluidiX GmbH, Engesserstr. 4a, 79108 Freiburg, Germany; and
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Kevin Pfleghar
2BiofluidiX GmbH, Engesserstr. 4a, 79108 Freiburg, Germany; and
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Julien TrÖndle
2BiofluidiX GmbH, Engesserstr. 4a, 79108 Freiburg, Germany; and
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Andreas Ernst
2BiofluidiX GmbH, Engesserstr. 4a, 79108 Freiburg, Germany; and
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Joerg Huwyler
3Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, 4056 Basel
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Imke-Sonja Ludwig
1F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland;
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Joerg Luemkemann
1F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland;
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Abstract

The pharmaceutical industry is currently being confronted with new and complex challenges regarding the aseptic filling of parenterals, especially monoclonal antibodies, particularly for fill volumes <200 µL, which have become increasingly important with the increasing and continued development of intravitreal drugs and highly concentrated formulations. Not only does low-volume filling pose challenges to aseptic manufacturing, but the development of suitable in-process control to ensure reliable and robust filling processes for low-volume conditions has also been difficult. In particular, fill volumes <200 µL exceed limits of accuracy and robustness for the well-established method of gravimetric fill-volume control. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate and test novel sensors, which may allow the accurate and precise 100% contact-free measurement of drug-product formulations, with respect to filling volumes. These sensors were designed to be less influenced by inevitable noise factors, such as unidirectional airflow and vibrations. We designed the study using five different sensor concepts, to screen and identify suitable alternatives to gravimetric fill-volume control. The examined sensor concepts were based on airflow, capacitive pressure, light obscuration. and capacitive measurements. Our results demonstrated that all of the tested sensor types worked in the desired low-volume range of 10–150 µL and showed remarkable results, in terms of accuracy and precision, when compared with a high-precision gravimetric balance. A sensor based on capacitance measurement was identified as the most promising candidate for future sensor implementation into an aseptic filling line. This sensor design proved to be superior in terms of both sensitivity and precision compared with the other tested sensors. We concluded that this technology may allow the pharmaceutical industry to overcome existing challenges with respect to the reliable measurement of aseptic fill volumes <200 µL. This technology has the potential to fundamentally change how the pharmaceutical industry verifies fill volumes by facilitating 100% in-process control, even at high machine speeds.

  • Low-volume filling
  • Microdosing
  • In-process control
  • IPC
  • gravimetric IPC
  • sensor concepts
  • capacitance
  • © PDA, Inc. 2020
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PDA Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology: 74 (6)
PDA Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology
Vol. 74, Issue 6
November/December 2020
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Assessment of Sensor Concepts for 100% In-Process Control of Low-Volume Aseptic Fill-Finish Processes
Tim Dreckmann, Wolfgang Aipperspach, Kevin Pfleghar, Julien TrÖndle, Andreas Ernst, Joerg Huwyler, Imke-Sonja Ludwig, Joerg Luemkemann
PDA Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology Nov 2020, 74 (6) 660-673; DOI: 10.5731/pdajpst.2019.011270

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Assessment of Sensor Concepts for 100% In-Process Control of Low-Volume Aseptic Fill-Finish Processes
Tim Dreckmann, Wolfgang Aipperspach, Kevin Pfleghar, Julien TrÖndle, Andreas Ernst, Joerg Huwyler, Imke-Sonja Ludwig, Joerg Luemkemann
PDA Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology Nov 2020, 74 (6) 660-673; DOI: 10.5731/pdajpst.2019.011270
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    • 1. Introduction
    • Challenge 1: Unidirectional Airflow
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Keywords

  • Low-volume filling
  • Microdosing
  • In-process control
  • IPC
  • gravimetric IPC
  • sensor concepts
  • capacitance

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