3M Drug Delivery Systems is a global leader providing pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies with innovative drug delivery solutions ranging from MDIs to DPIs for inhalation and conventional or novel transdermal technology. 3M provides partners flexibility in working arrangements for development through commercialization and expertise to help you get to market sooner. We combine the agility of a leading company with the resources of a major, multinational corporation supported by 3M's annual R&D budget of more than $1 billion. 

 3M's corporate headquarters and research center in St. Paul, Minnesota.						

Successfully teaming our delivery technology with molecules from many major pharmaceutical firms has helped make us a world leader in inhalation and transdermal drug delivery. 3M's proven track record includes development of the first metered-dose inhaler (MDI), development of the first CFC-free MDI, and development of the first 7-day transdermal system. Recently, we have added a novel dry-powder inhaler to the technology portfolio we can offer clients. Products manufactured by 3M Drug Delivery Systems currently are sold in more than 60 countries on 6 continents. 

3M in-house resources are available to support each step of the development process from early stages through post-approval. Corporate resources include technology centers and divisions producing component materials. In-house resources include pharmacokinetics, drug metabolism, clinical affairs, toxicology, analytical, regulatory affairs, quality assurance, operations, and marketed product support. 						

Whether accessing our systems development capabilities or using our transdermal or inhalation components for your own development program, you will benefit from our global development, regulatory, and manufacturing expertise.

Articles

3M Drug Delivery Systems

For more than 35 years, AccuRate® has been a leading manufacturer and supplier of volumetric and continuous gravimetric feeding systems, multi-ingredient batching systems, weighfeeders, flow meters, bulk bag discharging systems, and vibratory feeders to a wide variety of markets throughout the world.

As a supplier to the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries, we know that processes in those markets involve a wide range of materials, material characteristics, and feed rates. In addition, active ingredients, excipients, coatings, and lubricants vary widely in bulk density, particle size, and flowability. We offer products based around several metering technologies, which includes auger metering, vibratory metering, and belt metering. That versatility lets us focus on what's best for you and the application. 			

More than 90% of all products and systems (including controls) supplied by AccuRate® are manufactured at its facility in Whitewater, Wisconsin, or by its German parent, SCHENCK Process. 			

As part of its production facility, AccuRate® offers a full-service test laboratory staffed by experienced material handling specialists. Here, customers have the opportunity to witness a live material test involving their material and the equipment under consideration. The testing process confirms the proper equipment configuration and selection. 

Tablet coating: AccuRate® screw feeders are used routinely to meter the powdered materials for coating tablets and capsules. AccuRate® DEA weighfeeders also are available for metering the tablets during the coating process. 			

Size reduction: Volumetric and gravimetric AccuRate® feeders routinely meter materials into the jet mills used to do fine grinding. By accurately and consistently charging the jet mill, the milling process and particle-size uniformity are optimized.

Inter- and intra-plant ingredient packaging: 					

package individual materials and material blends in bags, boxes, or drums for movement within or between plants or parts of the manufacturing process

track and verify material movement by weight

Using AccuRate®'s SolidsFlow® louvered vibratory feeders, you can package tablets or capsules in bulk without breakage. 

PAT-ready single and multi-ingredient metering

AccuRate® feeders are perfect for recipe-based continuous feeding as well as batch feeding applications. Automated sequential or simultaneous multi-ingredient batching eliminates manual weighing, minimizes material handling, allows for total dust control, and provides the weight and time data needed to verify the proper material amounts were supplied. The DG-2000™ Group Manager with DeviceNet, Profibus, Modbus, or Ethernet fieldbus communications makes continuous gravimetric feeding, batch gravimetric feeding including ratio control, recipe management, and color graphic process monitoring, simple and straightforward. Whether you are batching or part of the PAT movement towards continuous blending, we are equipped to help. After all, we have been doing for food and plastics companies for more than 30 years.			

AccuRate

July 2004

In part two of a series of three articles, mixing rates and mechanisms are examined using rectangular bin blenders and two free-flowing mixtures.

Characterization of the Performance of Bin Blenders Part 2 of 3: Free-Flowing Mixtures

Despite investors' strong interest in the chemical industry overall, pharmaceutical chemical businesses have not experienced much attention from investors thus far.

Investors Shy Away from Pharmaceutical Chemicals

As FDA prepares for the Critical Path initiative, offices across the agency are expanding the use of the risk-based approach to regulation and applying a quality systems approach to internal operations.

From CGMPs to the Critical Path: FDA Focuses on Innovation, Quality, and Continuous Improvement–Inside and Out

Pharmaceutical Science & Technology Innovations

In the Spotlight-July 2004

The limitation-of-risks (LR) method can be used as an engineering tool in risk assessment work for the identification, minimization, and evaluation of potential airborne risks, and for the identification of adequate monitoring points.

The LR Method in Critical Areas: Airflow Patterns and the Design of Aseptic Interventions

The authors outline stability studies designed to evaluate the effect of temperature excursions on product quality that may occur during distribution.

A Stability Program for the Distribution of Drug Products

Decisions to accelerate the approval of AIDS combination drugs, reject the over-the-counter status for the morning-after pill, and limit support for stem cell research are hot political topics.

Pharmaceutical Technology-07-02-2004