Mixing Models for the Prediction of Fundamental Properties of Powder Blends

Predictive models of the flow behavior and bulk density of powder blends have been developed to enable a priori determination of these attributes from measured values of individual blend components. The models collectively serve as an effective means of evaluating the interplay between physical properties of novel APIs and accompanying bulk excipients, which serve as the basis of any prospective formulation. In practice, they provide the basis of an advanced formulation design tool which eliminates the need for time and material consuming studies to determine fundamental system attributes. Characterization of API properties is instead the only requirement. Binary systems were used to build the models; however, the mixing rules which serve as their basis enable the prediction of the behavior three- and four-component systems as well. Here we demonstrate both the development of the models themselves as well as their application to early stage development.