ASTM E2968-14
(Guide)Standard Guide for Application of Continuous Processing in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Standard Guide for Application of Continuous Processing in the Pharmaceutical Industry
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Although some continuous processing is used in the pharmaceutical industry (for example, purified water production, inherently continuous individual unit operations such as dry granulation and compression), these operations are generally operated in isolation and do not deliver the potential benefits of an integrated continuous manufacturing operation. The FDA Guidance for Industry PAT document specifically identifies that the introduction of continuous processing may be one of the outcomes from the adoption of a science-based approach to process design.
4.2 This guide does not:
4.2.1 Suggest that continuous production is suitable for the manufacture of all pharmaceutical products.
4.2.2 Provide guidance on issues related to the safe operation of a continuous process or continuous processing equipment. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate health and safety practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.2.3 Recommend particular designs or operating regimes for continuous manufacturing.
4.3 Appendix X1 includes a table comparing the characteristics of continuous and discrete or batch processes.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide introduces key concepts and principles to assist in the appropriate selection, development and operation of continuous processing technologies for the manufacture of pharmaceutical products.
1.2 Particular consideration is given to the development and application of the appropriate scientific understanding and engineering principles that differentiate continuous manufacture from traditional batch manufacturing.
1.3 Most of the underlying concepts and principles (for example, process dynamics and process control) outlined in this guide can be applied in both Drug Substance (DS) and Drug Product (DP) processes. However it should be recognized that in Drug Substance production the emphasis may be more on chemical behavior and dynamics in a fluid phase whereas for drug product manufacture there may be a greater emphasis on the physical behavior and dynamics in a solid/powder format.
1.4 This guide is also intended to apply in both the development of a new process, or the improvement/redesign of an existing one.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation: E2968 − 14
Standard Guide for
Application of Continuous Processing in the Pharmaceutical
1
Industry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2968; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
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1.1 This guide introduces key concepts and principles to 2.1 ASTM Standards:
assist in the appropriate selection, development and operation E2363 Terminology Relating to Process Analytical Technol-
of continuous processing technologies for the manufacture of ogy in the Pharmaceutical Industry
pharmaceutical products. E2475 Guide for Process Understanding Related to Pharma-
ceutical Manufacture and Control
1.2 Particular consideration is given to the development and
E2537 Guide for Application of Continuous Quality Verifi-
application of the appropriate scientific understanding and
cation to Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Manu-
engineering principles that differentiate continuous manufac-
facturing
ture from traditional batch manufacturing.
E2898 Guide for Risk-Based Validation of Analytical Meth-
1.3 Most of the underlying concepts and principles (for
ods for PAT Applications
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example, process dynamics and process control) outlined in
2.2 FDA Documents:
this guide can be applied in both Drug Substance (DS) and
FDA Guidance for Industry PAT A Framework for Innova-
Drug Product (DP) processes. However it should be recognized
tive Pharmaceutical Development, Manufacturing, and
that in Drug Substance production the emphasis may be more
Quality Assurance (2004)
on chemical behavior and dynamics in a fluid phase whereas
3. Terminology
for drug product manufacture there may be a greater emphasis
on the physical behavior and dynamics in a solid/powder
3.1 Definitions:
format.
3.1.1 For general definitions, refer to Terminology E2363
and Guides E2537 and E2475.
1.4 This guide is also intended to apply in both the devel-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
opment of a new process, or the improvement/redesign of an
3.2.1 back mixed process—a process with a residence time
existing one.
distribution (RTD) which is non zero and potentially significant
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
compared to the mean residence time.
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—For example, in an idealized fully back
mixed process quantities of material will be mixed into a single
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
homogeneous condition such that a rapid step change in the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
properties of inlet material will not result in an equivalent step
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
change in the properties of the output material but will be
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
reflected in a more gradual change. The rate of this change will
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
depend on the equipment characteristics, residence volume,
1 2
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E55 on Manufacture For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
of Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Products and is the direct responsibility of contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Subcommittee E55.01 on Process Understanding and PAT System Management, Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Implementation and Practice. the ASTM website.
3
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2014. Published April 2015. DOI: 10.1520/ Available from Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 10903 New Hampshire
E2968-14. Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002, http://www.fda.gov.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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E2968 − 14
and the residence time distribution/degree of mixing. A fully amount of starting material (with the option to divert certain
back mixed process may be considered and modeled as one or
amount of material taken from online control), and this is
more continuously stirred tank reactors (CSTR).
comparable to conventional discrete or batch manufacturing
3.2.2 controlled state—A process is in a controlled state
operations.
when it is: (1) Under Process Control, and (2) operating
(3) Alternatively a continuous process may be operated
normally, such that the measured critical quality attributes of
with an ‘infinite’ run-time, in which qua
...
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