Development of Continuous Additive-Controlled MSMPR Crystallization by DoE-Based Batch Experiments

Additive-controlled crystallization is a promising method to improve crystal morphology and produce solid drug particles with the desired technological and pharmacological properties. However, its adaptation to continuous operation is a hardly researched area. Accordingly, in this work, we aimed to come up with a methodology that provides the systematic and fast development of a continuous three-stage MSMPR cascade crystallizer. For that, a cooling crystallization of famotidine (FMT) from water, in the presence of a formulation additive, poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP-K12), was developed. Process parameters with a significant impact on product quality and quantity were examined in batch mode through a 24–1fractional factorial design for the implementation of additive-controlled continuous crystallization. These batch experiments represented one residence time of the continuous system. Based on the statistical analysis, the residence time (RT) had the highest effect on yield, while the polymer amount was critical from the product polymorphism, crystal size, and flowability points of view. The values of critical process parameters in continuous operation were fixed according to the batch results. Two continuous cooling crystallization experiments were carried out, one with 1.25 w/wFMT% PVP-K12 and one with no additive. A mixture of FMT polymorphs (Form A and Form B) crystallized without the additive through five residence times (>6.5 h) with 70.8% overall yield. On the other hand, the additive-controlled continuous experiment resulted pure and homogeneous Form A product with excellent flowability. The system could be operated for >6.5 h without clogging with a 71.1% overall yield and a 4-fold improvement in productivity compared to its batch equivalent.