Spray Drying

Spray Drying Expertise by a Trusted Partner

Codis provides pharmaceutical spray drying services across the product lifecycle, from early feasibility and process development through clinical supply, launch, and commercial manufacture. With three cGMP spray drying centers in the US and UK, we support aqueous and solvent-based processes using recognized platforms that include the BUCHI, PROCEPT and GEA Niro Pharmaceutical Spray Dryers (PSD) and Tall Form Dryers (TFD).

Onsite development teams support formulation, process and analytical method development, process modeling and simulation, data analytics, and technology transfer. With nearly 1,000 m² of dedicated development laboratory space, Codis helps clients define robust formulations and processes and move them efficiently toward reliable, inspection-ready supply.

Haverhill’s Legacy of Spray Drying Excellence

The Haverhill, UK site is fully licensed for Investigational Medicinal Products (IMP) and also holds a commercial Manufacturer’s/Importer’s Authorization (MIA) issued by the MHRA. Additionally, the site is certified to ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 standards.

Given its diverse commercial product mix and the broad range of markets served globally, the Haverhill site has a long history of interaction with various regulatory agencies. Since 2015, it has successfully passed eleven audits conducted by local and foreign regulatory bodies, with zero critical observations. Currently, with our local regulatory authority, the MHRA, we are classified in their lowest risk tier due to our consistently high inspection performance and the absence of critical observations recorded over the past decade.

In addition to a strong emphasis on quality, the Haverhill site has a proven track record of environmental performance, with significant achievements in carbon reduction, recycling, and reducing process mass intensity.

What Pharmaceutical Spray Drying Services Does Codis Provide?

Codis supports both aqueous and solvent-based pharmaceutical spray drying. 

Aqueous spray drying at Codis are truly unique with the combination of continuous and semi-continuous chemical reactors coupled to each of the three aqueous spray driers.  These reactors are capable of a wide range of processing solvents and chemistries and allows for highly efficient reactants-to-dry-product manufacture. Our capabilities extend from development through to high-volume commercial production for API’s, Excipients, Intermediates and particle engineered Functional Products, including evaporative capacities up to 1,500 kg of water per hour at Haverhill and annual production of more than 5,000 metric tons at Seymour. 

Solvent-based capabilities support amorphous solid dispersions for DCS Class 2a, 2b, and 4 compounds using nitrogen inerted closed-loop operating systems with batch scales from milligram quantities to hundreds of kg.

Service areaCodis capabilityTypical program need
Aqueous spray dryingDevelopment through commercial scale, including large GEA tall form dryersChemical synthesis and preprocessing followed by drying for APIs and specialty excipients. Co-processed intermediates, and other engineered powders
Solvent-based spray dryingClosed-loop, inert-nitrogen processing with twin-fluid and high-pressure atomizationAmorphous solid dispersions and other products requiring organic process solvents
Process development and modelingMechanistic, statistical, and machine learning models supported by PATDesign-space definition, process understanding, and robust operating conditions
Technology transferRisk-based, QbD-led transfer through PPQ and continued process verificationClinical-to-commercial scale-up and transfer from innovator organizations or other CDMOs

How to Choose a Spray Drying CDMO

Matching the right partner and process to the right program

The right spray drying CDMO should be selected against the needs of the molecule, process, development phase, and intended commercial supply strategy. Key evaluation criteria include:

  • Scale continuity from material-sparing high-efficiency formulation and process development through clinical and commercial manufacture
  • Versatility across aqueous and solvent systems, including closed-loop solvent processing capabilities
  • Equipment and atomization options suited to the target particle properties
  • Process modeling, PAT, analytical, and quality-control support
  • A structured technology transfer approach that carries product and process knowledge forward
  • A regulatory and inspection history appropriate for the target markets
  • Oral solid dose formulation development and clinical supply 

 

Codis combines this lifecycle coverage with cGMP spray drying centers in the US and UK, onsite development teams, and commercial capacity ranging from gram-scale feasibility work to multi-ton supply.

The Right Scale for Every Phase & Every Program

From product for feasibility studies to multi-ton commercial runs, Codis offers a seamless continuum of capacity.

Data Science & Modeling

Codis applies data science and mechanistic modeling to efficiently map process design spaces and identify robust operating conditions. PAT is vital for monitoring real-time processing performance and, when coupled with our machine learning models, can reveal important long-term trends.

 Our Modeling Toolbox Includes

Mechanistic models 
Statistical & machine learning models
Process Analytical Technology (PAT) informed inline sensing & multivariate control

Technology Transfer

We transfer in processes from innovator organizations or other CDMOs, then scale them using a risk-based, QbD approach. We incorporate all previously generated product and process knowledge, addressing gaps as necessary.  Using this as a base, we scale from Process Design through Process Performance Qualification (PPQ) and Continued Process Verification (CPV). Ultimately, our customers achieve reliable, inspection-ready supply faster without risking product supply.

Our Technology Transfer Protocols Include

Risk assessment
Technology gap analysis
Process and analytical method transfer
Stability assessment
Quality control and release testing
Validation
Regulatory submission support

Frequently Asked Questions About Pharmaceutical Spray Drying

Explore popular questions and topics on our spray drying services

  • Pharmaceutical spray drying converts a liquid feed, such as a solution, suspension, or emulsion, into a dry engineered powder.
  • Yes. Codis operates aqueous spray drying centers for development and commercial production and solvent-capable spray dryers that run in closed-loop mode under inert nitrogen for products such as amorphous solid dispersions, also for development and commercial production.
  • Yes. Codis has decades of experience developing and characterizing enabling formulations for pre-clinical studies.
  • Yes. Codis supports feasibility, process design, technology transfer, PPQ, continued process verification, and commercial supply across multiple spray dryer scales and system types.
  • Codis provides spray drying capabilities at Nottingham and Haverhill in the UK and at Seymour, Indiana in the US with specialized capabilities and processing focus adapted by site.

Discover Codis

Explore how Codis applies its expertise in spray drying, microencapsulation, continuous granulation, final dosage forms, and functional products to meet your formulation and manufacturing needs.

  • Commercial Spray Drying
    Commercial Spray Drying

    Full lifecycle, development, and production expertise for high-volume commercial aqueous spray drying.

  • Codis Amorphous Solid Dispersion (ASD)
    Codis Amorphous Solid Dispersion (ASD)

    Industry-leading know-how to design, scale, and manufacture amorphous solid dispersions for improved bioavailability of poorly soluble compounds.

  • Microencapsulation
    Microencapsulation

    Proprietary microencapsulation processes to improve taste, odor masking, stability, or release profile.

  • Continuous Granulation
    Continuous Granulation

    Continuous high-shear granulation to improve flow, compressibility and disintegration.

  • Organic & Polymer Chemistry
    Organic & Polymer Chemistry

    Advanced organic synthesis and polymer engineering, enabling robust, scalable manufacturing.

  • Analytical Services
    Analytical Services

    State-of-the-art instrumentation combined with data-science–driven PAT to provide method development, validation, release, and stability testing services.

  • Final Dosage Forms
    Final Dosage Forms

    Leading global experts in direct compression and two-piece encapsulation products for vitamin, mineral and supplement markets.

for Partnership

Connect with us to explore how our particle engineering, commercial spray drying, formulation, and advanced manufacturing capabilities deliver high-quality, dependable supply for even the most challenging products.