INTERPHEX 2026: The Continuous Conundrum
While the benefits of continuous manufacturing have been well-documented, regulatory alignment and complex control systems remain barriers to universal adoption, notes Mike Fazio from L.B. Bohle.
For over a decade, pharmaceutical manufacturing conversations have swirled around the transition from traditional batch processing to continuous manufacturing. While the benefits of continuous processes — such as reduced footprints, real-time quality monitoring, and significantly lower waste — are well-documented, the approach is still not the industry’s default standard for new drug filings. The delay in continuous manufacturing becoming the industry standard is largely attributed to a complex interplay of high capital expenditure requirements and a regulatory landscape that, while supportive, is still in the process of global alignment.
To understand how the industry is navigating these friction points, The Pharma Navigator spoke with Mike Fazio, Director of Sales and Marketing at L.B. Bohle USA. In this interview, Fazio sheds light on the evolving design of laboratory equipment, the critical shift in how industry defines scale-up through runtime rather than volume, and what the future of manufacturing innovation looks like on the floor of INTERPHEX 2026.
Not Yet the Standard
TPN: We’ve discussed the benefits of continuous manufacturing for years. From your perspective, what are the final hurdles preventing continuous manufacturing from becoming the default standard for all new oral solid dose drug filings?
Fazio: Continuous manufacturing has not become the standard yet due to regulatory challenges, although FDA endorses continuous manufacturing it is progressing but still needs some alignment. There is a high initial investment into continuous manufacturing. The technology is proven but the controls aspect is complex.
Scale Up Improvement
TPN: One of the biggest pain points in the industry is the lost time during scale-up. How is the industry evolving its approach to lab-scale equipment to ensure that process parameters are truly transferable rather than just representative?
Fazio: One of the most impactful aspects to scale up improvement is that continuous manufacturing displaces scale versus run time. Another factor for batch manufacturing is that laboratory or pilot plant machinery is improving scale up by virtue of the equipment design.
An Attractive Opportunity
TPN: Finally, what are you most looking forward to at INTERPHEX 2026?
Fazio: I most look forward to seeing current customers at INTERPHEX, with whom I have built long term and successful business relationships. INTERPHEX always attracts new prospective customers as well. INTERPHEX gives L.B. Bohle the opportunity to display our latest innovative machinery and technologies.
L.B. Bohle will be exhibiting at INTERPHEX 2026 and can be found at stand #1619.
About the Interviewee
Mike Fazio is currently Director of Sales and Marketing at L.B. Bohle USA. With more than 28 years in the OSD pharmaceutical equipment space. Mike has held various roles including Manufacturing, Engineering, Research and Development, and Capital Equipment Sales.
Image Credit: © Hafiez Razali - stock.adobe.com