Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42560570›Full record

ArticlePharmaceutical research2026

Continuous Distillation for Drug Substance Manufacturing.

Kimberly E Penzer, Daniel G Gregory, Justin T Turnage, Colin D Thieken, Samantha G Kohn, James K Ferri

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Pharmaceutical research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Kimberly E PenzerDepartment of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, 601 West Main St., Richmond, VA, 23284, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6611-1676
Daniel G GregoryDepartment of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, 601 West Main St., Richmond, VA, 23284, USA.
Justin T TurnageDepartment of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, 601 West Main St., Richmond, VA, 23284, USA.
Colin D ThiekenDepartment of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, 601 West Main St., Richmond, VA, 23284, USA.
Samantha G KohnDepartment of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, 601 West Main St., Richmond, VA, 23284, USA.
James K FerriDepartment of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, 601 West Main St., Richmond, VA, 23284, USA. jkferri@vcu.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0710-7287

Funding

Defense Sciences Office, DARPA DARPA-PS-24-12U.S. Food and Drug Administration BAA 75F40122C00122
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeContinuous distillation is widely used in the commodity and petrochemical industry to purify fine chemicals on massive industrial scales; however, this key separation strategy is largely unused within the pharmaceutical industry. This article investigates the development of a pilot-scale continuous distillation system for in-line removal of an excess amine reactant (i.e., tert-butylamine) when incorporated within an advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) for continuous drug substance production.

methodsInitial design parameters were simulated in ASPEN + to assess potential process solvents, setpoint parameters, and azeotrope formation. Complementary analytical characterization was performed with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography - flame ionization detection (GC-FID). Early continuous distillation prototypes and key engineering design decisions are highlighted.

resultsThe final engineered system is comprised of a + 3-foot distillation column fitted with an Allihn condenser, a 250 mL three-necked round bottom flask, and an automated system for reflux ratio (R

conclusionsThe application of continuous distillation offers a unique strategy for impurity removal during advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing and can be scaled to meet target throughputs. Here we provide general criteria necessary for successful implementation of similar continuous in-line distillation systems.

Indexed as

DistillationTechnology, PharmaceuticalAlbuterolBulk DrugsButylaminesChromatography, GasChromatography, High Pressure LiquidContinuous Flow ChemistryPharmaceutical PreparationsSolventsAlbuterolBulk DrugsButylaminesPharmaceutical PreparationsSolventsadvanced manufacturing technologycontinuous in-line distillationimpurity removalqualityseparations

Identifiers

PMID42560570
PMCPMC13545118

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.