In mid-2024, Solids Development Consult (SDC) celebrates: 10 years since its founding. This occasion provides an opportunity to reflect on a dynamic and successful decade.
The Beginnings: From Lecturer to Entrepreneur
The story of SDC begins long before its official founding. From 2000 to 2014, Dr. Rob Lammens, one of SDC’s founders, served as an honorary lecturer in Pharmaceutical Measurement and Process Engineering at the University of Bonn. In collaboration with Prof. Dr. Klaus-Jürgen Steffens, head of the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, numerous projects in tableting and granulation have been conducted.
In granulation, the projects focused on dry granulation with roller compactors and wet granulation with high-shear mixers and fluid bed granulators. The aim was to deepen the understanding of the significance of various manufacturing and machine parameters. All manufacturing parameters were measured and analyzed using LabVIEW-based data acquisition systems. As part of these projects, not yet instrumented measurement variables have also been equipped with additional transducers. The analysis of correspondingly performed experiments resulted in a detailed picture regarding the interactions between different manufacturing parameters and their influence on the quality of the final product. Additionally, various methods for characterizing the produced intermediates have been explored.
Additionally, various methods for characterizing the produced intermediates have been explored.
These insights are not only useful for a rational development of new formulations but also ensure that the manufacturing parameters chosen during development are easily transferable to production scale (scale-up).
Another focus was on tableting of granules and directly compressible powders. The influence of granulation parameters on the quality of the end product, "tablet," has been analyzed. Additionally, the granulate or powder mixture has been analyzed in such a way that the results could be transferred to another punch size, and this without any further trials. The development and application of measurement methods for characterizing the mechanical properties of tablets has played a central role. For example, a method for the rapid determination of tablet density using visible light was developed. As for a constant powder composition, tablet density correlates directly with its mechanical strength, this method would enable a non-destructive full control of an entire tablet batch.
The Decision: A New Challenge
In 2014, Dr. Rob Lammens faced a pivotal decision: retire or embark on a new venture. The accumulated knowledge and passion for his field did not leave him. Thus, together with Dr. Barbara Fretter and Dr. Katharina Freischlad, he decided to start a new company: Solids Development Consult.
Barbara Fretter and Katharina Freischlad brought extensive expertise in pharmaceutical technology and process development. After Katharina had left the company, Maarten Lammens joined the team in 2016. With his expertise in computer science and smart software tools for various manufacturing and testing equipment, he is an ideal addition. A perfect match for today's SDC leadership.
Our Mission and Achievements
Since its founding, SDC has been dedicated to the advancement and application of knowledge in granulation and tableting. Thanks to its innovative small-scale methods, SDC can save up to 90% of material compared to traditional approaches. SDC’s goal is to find innovative solutions to the challenges of the pharmaceutical industry, true to the slogan: “Filling the gaps between powder and technology.”
SDC emphasizes close collaboration with its clients for developing tailored and efficient solutions. This partnership approach ensures that the individual requirements and specific challenges of each client are optimally addressed. The team combines its extensive expertise with state-of-the-art technologies to continuously achieve innovative and sustainable results.
Over the past decade, SDC has successfully implemented numerous projects and established itself as a reliable partner in the pharmaceutical industry. The company’s expertise includes formulation development, process optimization, troubleshooting and the implementation of software and hardware tools for evaluating testing and manufacturing processes. For instance, methods have been developed both for the rapid determination of density distribution in ribbons (an intermediate product in roller compaction) and for real time monitoring the strength of ribbon pieces for controlling the roller compaction process.
Beyond traditional pharmaceutical projects, SDC has also supported clients in the chemical and food industries with feasibility studies. The principles of tableting and granulation are practically the same and can be transferred across these sectors.
In recent years, projects in collaboration with machine manufacturers mainly for pharmaceutical applications have been realized. The focus was on the development of new PAT tools or process optimization because of specific questions.
Looking to the Future
As SDC celebrates its 10th anniversary, the company also looks to the future. The pharmaceutical industry faces continuously new challenges, and SDC is ready to meet them with innovation and expertise. A key focus is the development of remote analysis tools for monitoring product quality at manufacturing and testing equipment, using tablets or smartphones.
Research also continues to play an important role at SDC. There are still enough unknown relationships in tableting and granulation, which can be investigated. SDC is involved in this, for example by coaching students during their final thesis and their PhD work.
This underlines SDC's commitment to excellence and their passion for understanding and continuously improving manufacturing technologies together with their clients.
Sharing Knowledge: Then and Now
Dr. Rob Lammens loves sharing and expanding his knowledge. Already during his chemistry studies at the University of Utrecht he was a part time teacher at a high school and student assistant in courses on thermodynamics. During his PhD period at the University of Leiden he was involved in teaching pharmaceutical technology and the coaching of various students during their practical research course. Also during his industrial employment, he has coached numerous pharmacy trainees and graduating students. And as a senior lecturer at the University of Bonn, he was responsible with regard to content for numerous doctoral and diploma theses and a speaker at many seminars.
Today, this is complemented by contributions on Solids Development Consult's LinkedIn company page. Under the hashtag #DrRob, he and his team use this platform to share valuable insights and practical knowledge with a wide audience.
SDC also continues to offer client seminars tailored to individual learning needs and regularly participates in industry conferences with presentations and lectures.
Our Services
SDC offers a wide range of services tailored to the needs of the pharmaceutical industry and applicable to other sectors. From process development and optimization to consulting on the selection of the right machine parameters – SDC is the partner for sustainable and efficient solutions.
Conclusion
The past ten years have been a period of growth and innovation for Solids Development Consult. The success is based on a solid foundation of scientific research and a deep passion for the work
SDC thanks its clients and partners for their trust and support and looks forward to many more years of successful collaboration. We are very excited about your next projects and challenges, for which we would gladly become your solution finder.
Your Opinion Counts
Reflecting on 10 years of SDC highlights how an academic initiative evolved into a successful company. What do you think of this development? How can we support you even better? Do you have any wishes for us? Your opinion is important to us and helps us continuously improve our services.