Gamlen Instruments
Pioneering Tablet Development with Compaction Analysis

Pharmaceutical manufacturers have long been challenged with powder compression problems. Hurdles include capping and lamination, powder sticking to punch surfaces, or lack of tablet mechanical strength for withstanding stress in downstream processing.

As former Head of Tablet Development at the Wellcome Foundation Ltd, it’s an issue Dr Michael Gamlen first recognised while studying tablet formulations and development processes. He saw that nearly all pharmaceutical professionals faced a two-pronged challenge in tablet development. Firstly, the complexity of experiments to implement new tablet formulations and processes. Secondly, the ability to measure the properties of the formulation and make necessary changes.

This recognition set Dr Gamlen on a journey spanning 40 years of monumental contributions to the world of pharmaceuticals. Dr Gamlen began by designing a medical instrument that could measure the difference between a good and a bad tablet. And it was only possible if one could control the force used to make a tablet. Through a five-year development program, Dr Gamlen created the world’s first digitally controlled benchtop tablet press, which eventually led to the invention of the Gamlen Powder Compaction Analyser.

Taking Powder Compaction Analysis to Another Level

The highly innovative testing system monitors the entire compaction process of powdered materials and greatly simplifies both tablet formulation and process development. Gamlen Instruments also helps in assessing the lubrication and compaction behaviour of tablets with its pioneering product.

Our powder compaction instruments and software shorten development time, reduce material requirements and improve quality of tablets – all at the same time

“Using our powder compaction analyser, users can shorten development time, reduce material requirements and improve quality of tablets—all at the same time,” extols Dr Gamlen, Founder and CSO of Gamlen Instruments.

But for Dr Gamlen, the journey is far from over. The Gamlen Dashboard is the latest innovation in Dr Gamlen’s relentless pursuit to improve tablet development as a route to making medicines accessible to all.

The Gamlen Dashboard –For Complete Compaction Data

The recently published USP Chapter <1062> Tablet Compaction Properties defines key Critical Quality Attributes for manufactured tablets. These are calculated from compaction pressure, tablet density or solid fraction and tensile fracture stress. Gamlen’s Dashboard software system measures all these parameters, and many more, to provide complete compaction data. Using this unique powder assessment system enables better understanding of APIs and formulations to avoid tableting problems.

The Gamlen Dashboard displays how a material compares for the key parameters of compaction, lubrication and elastic recovery. The clearly defines ‘good’ and ‘poor’ compaction behaviour zones to aid result interpretation and allow even novice users to identify problematic data.

By setting the good and poor limits to suit expectations or the particular requirements of formulations, the graphs automatically scale to show your formulation along with the configuration ranges you use.

A Complete Suite for Effective Powder Compaction Analysis

As the latest innovation in powder compaction analysis, the Gamlen Dashboard is an essential element in the Gamlen suite of ground-breaking products and services, earning its place alongside previous innovations including the Gamlen D-Series range – which represents the company’s most advanced powder compaction analysers – and the M-Series compaction analysers, portable tablet presses for small scale manufacture of custom tablets.

“Gamlen Instruments provides unique, patented powder compaction instruments and software, for measuring compactibility of drug substances, excipients, and drug products”

As world leaders in powder compaction analysis, major pharma companies including Novo Nordisk, GSK, Pfizer, Reckitt Benckiser – as well as leading CMOs, universities and research institutions – are using Gamlen Instruments’ highly innovative products to make informed tablet formulation decisions with accurate compaction data.

Indeed, for anyone wanting a better understanding of how powders will behave ahead of tablet formulation and manufacturing, Gamlen provides the data required to make high-quality products faster, launch to market sooner and stay ahead of the competition. At the same time, the solution helps reduce waste, protect valuable APIs, select cheaper and readily available excipients. With Gamlen’s compaction solutions, clients can ensure consistent tablet quality while avoiding tableting problems and reducing press down time.