Process simulation facilitates scale-up of hot-melt extrusion (HME) and enhances proper understanding of the underlying critical process parameters. However, performing numeric simulations requires profound knowledge of the employed materials' properties. For example, an accurate description of the compounds' melt rheology is paramount for proper simulations. Hence, sample preparation needs to be optimized to yield results as predictive as possible. To identify the optimal preparation method for small amplitude oscillatory shear (SAOS) rheological measurements, binary mixtures of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose acetate succinate or methacrylic acid ethyl acrylate copolymer (Eudragit L100-55) together with the model drugs celecoxib and ketoconazole were prepared. The physical powder mixtures were introduced into the SAOS as a compressed tablet or a disk prepared via vacuum compression molding (VCM). Simulations with the derived parameters were conducted and compared to lab-scale extrusion trials. VCM was identified as the ideal preparation method resulting in the highest similarity between simulated and experimental values, while simulation based on conventional powder-based methods insufficiently described the HME process.
Keywords: Amorphous solid dispersion; Hot-melt extrusion; Melt rheology; Sample preparation; Simulation.
© 2022. The Author(s).