Integrating Elastic Tensor and PC-SAFT Modeling with Systems-Based Pharma 4.0 Simulation, to Predict Process Operations and Product Specifications of Ternary Nanocrystalline Suspensions

Pharma 4.0-Artificially Intelligent Digital Twins for Solidified Nanosuspensions

Digital twins capacitate the industry 4.0 paradigm by predicting and optimizing the performance of physical assets of interest, mirroring a realistic in-silico representation of their functional behaviour. Although advanced digital twins set forth disrupting opportunities by delineating the in-service product and the related process dynamic performance, they have yet to be adopted by the pharma sector. The latter, currently struggles more than ever before to improve solubility of BCS II i.e., hard-to-dissolve active pharmaceutical ingredients by micronization and subsequent stabilization. Herein we construct and functionally validate the first artificially intelligent digital twin thread, capable of describing the course of manufacturing of such solidified nanosuspensions given a defined lifecycle starting point and predict and optimize the relevant process outcomes. To this end, we referenced experimental data as the sampling source, which we then augmented via pattern recognition utilizing neural network propagations. The zeta-dynamic potential metrics of the nanosuspensions were correlated to the interfacial Gibbs energy, while the density and heat capacity of the material system was calculated via the Saft-γ-Mie statistical fluid theory. The curated data was then fused to physical and empirical laws to choose the appropriate theory and numeric description, respectively, before being polished by tuning the critical parameters to achieve the best fit with reality.

Technical Considerations for the Conformation of Specific Competences in Mechatronic Engineers in the Context of Industry 4.0 and 5.0

The incursion of disruptive technologies, such as the Internet of Things, information technologies, cloud computing, digitalization and artificial intelligence, into current production processes has led to a new global industrial revolution called Industry 4.0 or Manufacturing 4.0. This new revolution proposes digitization from one end of the value chain to the other by integrating physical assets into systems and networks linked to a series of technologies to create value. Industry 4.0 has far-reaching implications for production systems and engineering education, especially in the training of mechatronic engineers. In order to face the new challenges of the transition from manufacturing 3.0 to Industry 4.0 and 5.0, it is necessary to implement innovative educational models that allow the systematic training of engineers. The competency-based education model has ideal characteristics to help mechatronic engineers, especially in the development of specific competencies. This article proposes 15 technical considerations related to generic industrial needs and disruptive technologies that serve to determine those specific competencies required by mechatronic engineers to meet the challenges of Industry 4.0 and 5.0.

mRNA Therapeutic Modalities Design, Formulation and Manufacturing under Pharma 4.0 Principles

In the quest for a formidable weapon against the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, mRNA therapeutics have stolen the spotlight. mRNA vaccines are a prime example of the benefits of mRNA approaches towards a broad array of clinical entities and druggable targets. Amongst these benefits is the rapid cycle "from design to production" of an mRNA product compared to their peptide counterparts, the mutability of the production line should another target be chosen, the side-stepping of safety issues posed by DNA therapeutics being permanently integrated into the transfected cell's genome and the controlled precision over the translated peptides. Furthermore, mRNA applications are versatile: apart from vaccines it can be used as a replacement therapy, even to create chimeric antigen receptor T-cells or reprogram somatic cells. Still, the sudden global demand for mRNA has highlighted the shortcomings in its industrial production as well as its formulation, efficacy and applicability. Continuous, smart mRNA manufacturing 4.0 technologies have been recently proposed to address such challenges. In this work, we examine the lab and upscaled production of mRNA therapeutics, the mRNA modifications proposed that increase its efficacy and lower its immunogenicity, the vectors available for delivery and the stability considerations concerning long-term storage.