Pharmaceutical Cocrystal Synthesis via Continuous Flow Mechanochemistry: An Investigation into Reactive Twin Screw Extrusion

Synopsis

Twin -crew extrusion (TSE) is a common technique within the plastics industry and one which has translated across to pharmaceutical processing. The use of TSE in pharmaceutical applications is widespread and spans implantable medical devices, amorphous solid dispersions for oral delivery and more recently, as a means of manufacturing cocrystals via mechanochemical synthesis.

Traditionally, cocrystals have been manufactured using solvent-intensive methods, such as, solvent evaporation, cooling crystallisation, reaction crystallisation and slurry conversion. Currently there is a drive towards more environmentally friendly processes that are capable of driving chemical reactions in the absence of solvents. To get a high quality cocrystal yield attention needs to be given to the processing parameters of the manufacturing technique.