Scientists from Massachusetts University of Technology have created a portable pharmaceutical factory

Chemical engineers from the Massachusetts University of Technology have developed an ultra-compact modular unit for continuous automated drug production. The device (the size of a kitchen refrigerator — 1 × 0.7 × 1.8 m) consists of pumps, containers with reagents, modules for synthesis, precipitation, crystallization, filtration and dosing. In the process of synthesis and purification, substances continuously move through a system of tubes. The portable unit is capable of producing thousands of doses of drugs daily.

According to the developers, the modular system can be configured for the synthesis of any drug, excluding high molecular weight biological products. The scientists note that the use of such device can be extremely useful in war zones, remote regions, pest spots and after natural disasters. In addition, portable pharmaceutical production can solve the problems of providing patients with orphan diseases.

SOURCE: WORLD PHARMA NEWS