PAT & QbD Flashcards
What is PAT?
Process Analytical Technology - A means of analysing and monotoring a process using offline, at-line and online measurements/ techniques
Why does the FDA recommend a QbD approach?
The focus is that quality should be built into the product with a thorough understanding of the product and process by which it is developed and manufactured along with a knowledge of the risks involved and how best to mitigate these
Commonly used PAT instruments
- Near Infrared (NIR)
- Mid IR
- UV/Visible
- Raman
- Lasentec (FBRM)
- Mass Spec
What needs to be considered when interfacing measurement techniques into the process?
- Location of spectrometer
- Representative Sampling
- Safety & Atex rating
- Type of interface (e.g. dip pipe, by-pass loop, probe, flow cell)
What is SAM-Spec?
Spatially Advanced Measurement by Spectroscopy - measurements taken at several distances for physical or chemical characterisation, homogeneity and uniformity.
- Can check for cracks in tablets, API content or particle dispersion
What and how is monitored in reaction processes?
Initiation, Impurity levels and End point
- UV
- NIR
- Mid-IR
- Mass Spec
What and how is monitored in crystallisation processes?
Particle size & End-point
- FBRM
- UV
- NIR/ Mid IR
What and how is monitored in distillation processes?
Composition Control and End point
- NIR
- Mid IR
What and how is monitored in Form Control processes?
Completion
-NIR/ Mid IR
What and how is monitored in drying processes?
Crystal attrition & End point
- NIR
- Mass Spec
What and how is monitored in blending processes?
Water Content & End Point
-NIR
What and how is monitored in tableting processes?
API Content, Content Uniformity, Weight/density/integrity
- NIR
What is PCA?
Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is the analysis of a single data set. It is a means of reducing dimensionality to a number of variables where a clear distinguishable behaviour trend can be seen. (Unused axes or data points close together contain similar information and the closer they are to the origin the les the influence the model)
What is PLS?
A Partial Least Squares Model is built by taking spectra of known, well characterised materials and then comparing data acquired during the process to this model to predict component concentrations (it is a methof of multivariate regression)
Define QbD
A systematic approach to development that begins with predefined objectives and emphasises product and process understanding and a process control strategy based on sound science and quality risk management