Crystallization Design Institute

We are excited to share that our latest research has been published in Nucleic Acid Insights (https://doi.org/10.18609/nuc.2026.011).

The paper presents an integrated, continuous end-to-end platform for cGMP mRNA manufacturing, developed as part of the broader effort to rethink how mRNA therapeutics are produced.

We explore how combining IVT, precipitation-based purification, TFF, LNP formulation, and continuous lyophilization, together with modeling and digital twins, can enable scalable, flexible, and fully continuous production.

Many thanks to all co-authors Maria del Carme Pons | Torsten Stelzer | Aaron Cowley | Bernhardt Trout | Allan Myerson | Richard D. Braatz for the great collaboration.

| | | | |

Integrated continuous cGMP platform for end-to-end mRNA manufacturing mRNA has evolved from a niche research technology into a major therapeutic platform, with its impact clearly demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic. While mRNA vaccines achieved unprecedented development timelines and strong clinical outcomes, limitations in production capacity, supply chains, an...

We are thrilled to welcome Paloma Báez Brull as part of the . Paloma is a fourth-year undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras campus. At the CDI, she will work alongside Dr. Aliou Mbodji, focused on continuous crystallization. In the future, Paloma aspires to obtain a Doctor of Pharmacy with an interest in clinical pharmacy. Beyond laboratory work, she enjoys the beach, reading, and spending time with friends and family. Welcome to the Paloma!

We are excited to share our latest publication in Nature Chemical Engineering (https://doi.org/10.1038/s44286-025-00268-w) commenting on the persistent barriers to the adoption of continuous crystallization in the pharmaceutical industry.

Despite successes in other industries, widespread implementation in pharmaceutical manufacturing remains limited. Together with a team of authors from academia and industry we comment on the institutional, operational, and technical challenges.

This piece reflects our ongoing commitment to identifying and overcoming these barriers through collaborative research to unlock the full potential of continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Thanks to all co-authors for their insights and collaboration:
Giovanni Aprile | Cedric Devos | Thomas Vetter | Gerard Capellades | Kevin Girard | Christopher Burcham | Venkat Bhamidi | Daniel Green | Torsten Stelzer | Richard D. Braatz | Allan Myerson

Giovanni Aprile was supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the Advanced Manufacturing Program (CMMI-2242255). We also thank all researchers from industry and academia that contributed to the discussion during the AIChE Annual Meeting 2024 in San Diego (USA).

Reflecting on barriers to continuous pharmaceutical crystallization - Nature Chemical Engineering This Comment explores why continuous crystallization, despite its success in other industries, remains underutilized in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Among other challenges, we highlight two core issues: the lack of off-the-shelf small-scale equipment with integrated monitoring tools, and the absenc...