In current study a holistic material characterization approach was proposed and an extensive raw material property database was developed including a wide variety of APIs and excipients with
different functionalities. In total 55 different materials were characterized and described by over 100 raw material descriptors related to particle size and shape distribution, specific surface
area, bulk, tapped and true density, compressibility, electrostatic charge, moisture content, hygroscopicity, permeability, flowability and wall friction. Principal component analysis (PCA) was
applied to reveal similarities and dissimilarities between materials and to identify overarching properties. The developed PCA model allows to rationalize the number of critical characterization
techniques in routine characterization and to identify surrogates for use during early drug product development stages when limited amounts of active pharmaceutical ingredients are available.
Additionally, the developed database will be the basis to build predictive models for in
silicoprocess and formulation development based on (a selection of) property descriptors.
