Controlled Nucleation for the Continuous Crystallization of Nanopharmaceuticals

The main goal of this project is to develop the science and engineering on the control of nucleation and crystallization of APIs (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients) from solutions using molecular additives, by combining anti-solvent supersaturation/nucleation, spray atomization/drying and fluidized bed coating into a single continuous scalable process.

The project also aims to:

• Control the crystal habit and size of APIs in the nano size range, generating pharmaceutical nanoparticles with improved physicochemical properties such as solubility and dissolution rate.
• Understand how molecular additives interact with APIs at the molecular level and impact crystal nucleation/polymorphic outcome.
• Continuously isolate/coat the spray dried API nanoparticles onto micron-sized polymeric excipients using novel fluidized bed methods.