This year’s program featured a series of interactive workshops and expert presentations, where attendees engaged directly with tablet development tools. Representing the MEDELPHARM Science Lab and the KORSCH INNOVATION CENTER, our expert team— Bruno Leclercq, Dr. Delphine Ach-Hubert and Dr. Friederike Gütter —were on-site to facilitate three practical sessions and deliver a presentation on scale-up of tableting processes.
Workshop 1: Formulation and process optimization on the R&D rotary press XL 100
In this session led by Dr. Friederike Gütter from KORSCH, participants explored the critical relationship between formulation properties and tablet press parameters to enable optimal manufacturing. Using the KORSCH XL 100 R&D rotary press, the workshop focused on how to optimize tablet press settings. Attendees gained hands-on experience adjusting process parameters, like pre- and main compression pressure, punch depth, rotation speed to achieve consistent tablet quality.
Workshop 2: Evaluation of a powder blend using a STYL’One Compaction Simulator
Facilitated by Bruno Leclercq and formulation scientist Dr. Delphine Ach-Hubert, this workshop introduced participants to the advanced capabilities of the STYL’One Nano Compaction Simulator. Attendees learned how compaction simulation provides valuable insights into powder characterization and formulation development. Bruno & Delphine guided the group through comparative analyses of different powders using a small amount of material, demonstrating how early-stage simulation can optimize formulations.
Workshop 3: Bilayer tablet formulation – from R&D to production
The third workshop, co-led by Bruno Leclercq and Dr. Friederike Gütter, focused on the development and scale-up of bilayer tablet formulations. The session demonstrated how process parameters optimized on the STYL’One Evo Compaction Simulator can be successfully transposed to production-scale manufacturing on the KORSCH XL 400 tablet press. A highlight was a live demonstration featuring KORSCH Process Expert Peter Jona, showing the real-time scale-up process from the lab to production. This direct link between R&D and manufacturing illustrated the reliability of the scale-up strategy, with tablets produced at both scales showing matching tablet properties.
Expert presentation: Scaling-up tableting processes
In addition to leading workshops, Dr. Friederike Gütter delivered an insightful presentation on scaling-up tablet processes. Emphasizing the importance of process understanding and data-driven decisions, Friederike guided attendees through strategies to maintain product quality and manufacturing efficiency when moving from development to commercial manufacturing.
Strengthening industry connections and advancing practical skills at the Tabletting School
The Tabletting School is much more than a traditional training event—it serves as a dynamic platform for building meaningful connections between participants across the pharmaceutical ecosystem. Bringing together formulators, academic researchers, excipient specialists, tooling providers, and equipment manufacturers, the event fosters collaboration. This year’s edition featured key industry players such as BASF, GEA and I Holland, further enriching the exchange of expertise.
MEDELPHARM and KORSCH are proud to contribute annually by sharing scientific knowledge, the latest technological innovations, and practical solutions. Our involvement supports a collaborative environment where knowledge exchange accelerates more efficient and effective drug development.
What sets the Tabletting School apart is its strong emphasis on hands-on learning and direct engagement with cutting-edge formulation equipment, software tools, and real-world case studies. This immersive approach empowers participants to:
- Master Quality by Design (QbD) principles
- Utilize compaction simulation for efficient formulation development
- Gain valuable insights into scale-up techniques for bilayer tablets
- Understand the principles and applications of continuous manufacturing in modern tabletting
- Employ a virtual formulation assistant ZoomLab™ (BASF) to assist in early formulation development
Through this combination of connection-building and practical education, the Tabletting School uniquely prepares pharmaceutical scientists to meet today’s development challenges with confidence and innovation.
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