GEA Pharma Systems has announced an agreement with a US pharmaceutical company to supply a complete continuous processing line for the production of solid dose drugs. The order is one of the more significant for Consigma oral solid dosage continuous processing equipment and represents the first phase of a potentially long-term commitment for this customer. Delivery is scheduled for early 2013.

The order is to deliver a continuous solid dosage production platform, including continuous blending, wet granulation and drying, dry granulation and direct compression. In addition to the Courtoy Modul tablet press and a tablet relaxation module, the system will also include the first commercial continuous GEA coater. The entire line will be equipped with a range of PAT instruments (partly based on the GEA's patented Lighthouse Probe technology) for on-line measurement of particle size distribution, humidity, blend/content uniformity and coating quality. This data will be captured in an overall control and information system which allows for 'real-time-release' of the finished tablets.