Author: Mark Gontsarik

COURSE OVERVIEW

Design of experiments, or DOE, is a key tool for product and process improvement and innovation in pharmaceutical domain. This course motivates the standard and routine use of a fully flexible approach to the design of experiments, named optimal design of experiments, by showing its industrial application in a variety of case studies covering a wide range of practical situations. The increasing computing power has made optimal experimental design a key tool for scientists and researchers in the 21st century. 

The course will cover completely randomized experiments, blocked experiments and split-plot types of experiments, applied to screening experiments and response surfaces experiments. This training will conclude with a discussion of definitive screening designs and OMARS designs, which allow an efficient combination of screening and response surface experimentation. Throughout the course, the introduction of new theoretical concepts, demonstrations with the JMP software and exercises are intertwined.

All sessions will be taught by Peter Goos. Peter Goos is a full professor at the Faculty of Bio-Science Engineering of the University of Leuven and at the Faculty of Business and Economics of the University of Antwerp, where he teaches various introductory courses on statistics and probability. His main research area is the statistical design and analysis of experiments. Besides a number of articles in top scientific journals in marketing, transportation, quality, operations research and statistics, Peter published numerous books and received the Brumbaugh Award, the Youden Award, the Shewell Award and the Lloyd S. Nelson Award of the American Society for Quality, the Ziegel Award and the Statistics in Chemistry Award from the American Statistical Association, and the Young Statistician Award of the European Network for Business and Industrial Statistics.

Target audience

The target audience is professionals, researchers, and PhD students in chemical, pharmaceutical, and healthcare sciences and engineering who wish to enhance their understanding and application of optimized experimental design.

Pricing (for full 3-day course):

• Industry (non CESPE member): 1700.- EUR
• Industry (CESPE member): 1200.- EUR
• Academic (non-UGent): 850.- EUR
• Academic (UGent postdoc or professor): 700.- EUR
• Academic (UGent PhD student): 0.- EUR (Free of charge).

COURSE PROGRAMME

A detailed overview of the different modules can be found in the following document.

Registrations are open for this course, please follow the ‘REGISTER HERE‘ link above for further details, including registration fees. UGent PhD students can attend this course for free! If you have any questions please email CESPE@UGent.be.

The last iteration of this course took place on 25th and 26th of February 2026 at Fette Compacting Belgium BV site, with a new iteration on it’s way in 2027.

COURSE OVERVIEW

This training module provides a comprehensive journey through the principles and practical aspects of modern tableting, with a strong focus on optimizing performance and addressing product-specific issues. The program is structured to build foundational knowledge, deepen process understanding, and explore advanced technologies such as continuous manufacturing (FE CPS) and Process Analytical Technology (ePAT).

The first day is all about the tablet press. In the morning session, we will cover the fundamentals of tableting, laying the groundwork for a deeper understanding of the process. In the afternoon, the focus shifts to product-specific challenges—such as weight variation, hardness issues, and sticking—and how these can be effectively identified and resolved through process optimization and practical solutions.

On the second day, the focus shifts to Continuous Manufacturing and Process Analytical Technology (ePAT). Participants will be introduced to the fundamentals of both concepts, including a detailed explanation of the functional principles and key components involved in each process. Additionally, the day includes hands-on sessions, where participants will have the opportunity to observe the system, gaining practical understanding of how continuous processes and real-time analytics work together to ensure consistent product quality.

Target Audience

This training is designed for professionals and students from the pharmaceutical, healthcare, and nutrition sectors.
No prior knowledge is required — making it ideal for anyone with an interest in tableting, continuous manufacturing, and ePAT

Course has a 2-day programme:

Day 1: Optimization of Tableting

Morning session: Introductory

• System Overview
• Functional Principle, incl. Filling Device, Dosing Station, Compression Station etc.
• Compression Layouts FE Series

Afternoon session: Product-Specific Issues

• Weight Variation
• Hardness Issues
• Sticking & Picking
• Practical Hands-on Session
  • Tableting equipment visit and operational demonstration
  • Problem solving and process optimization on-the-go with audience participation

Day 2: Continuous Manufacturing meets ePAT

Morning session: FE CPS

• General Information
• System Overview
• Functional Principle, incl. ARS, Feeder Unit, Blend Conveyor etc.
• Equipment Demonstration
  • Optimization of feeding and adjusting powder behavior

Afternoon session: ePAT

• System Overview
• ePAT Basic
• Functional Principle, incl. Blend and Tablet Uniformity Measuring Head, Spectrometer etc.
• Hands-on Session: Showcasing of BU and TU probes: In-line measurements and collected spectra

COURSE PROGRAMME

An overview of the course programme can be found in the following document.

Registrations are not yet open for this course, as we are finding a suitable date for the course in 2027. To subscribe for updates on this or any other course, please follow the ‘Subscribe for Updates’ button above. If you have any questions please email CESPE@UGent.be.

COURSE OVERVIEW

This two-day training module provides valuable insights into the automation of both chemical synthesis and chromatographic purification.

Day 1 focuses on automated chemical synthesis, showcasing how the Atlas HD Automated Reactor System and Atlas Syringe Pump can be seamlessly controlled via a single software interface. Participants will learn how automation improves reproducibility, efficiency, and safety while gaining practical insight into setting up and monitoring automated reactions.

Day 2 provides comprehensive training in flash, preparative, and supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC). The morning session covers key chromatography principles, including sample loading, column selection, and practical guidelines to optimize your purification processes. In the afternoon, participants will gain hands-on experience using the CombiFlash® NextGen 300+ and ACCQPrep HP150 systems for automated purification.

Target Audience

This course is ideal for researchers, chemists, and laboratory professionals looking to enhance their expertise in automation and chromatographic techniques through a combination of theory and practical experience.

Course has a 2-day programme:

Day 1. Automated Synthesis

The following will be addressed:

Introduction to synthesis automation

Atlas HD & syringe pump

Automated Synthesis of N-benzylbenzamide
(reaction setup and work-up)

Day 2. Automated Purification

The following will be addressed:

Basic principles chromatography

Method selection & Guidelines

Purification of N-benzylbenzamide
(Automated flash & preparative chromatography)

COURSE PROGRAMME

An overview of the course programme can be found in the following document.

Registrations are not yet open for this course, as we are finding the next suitable date for the course. To subscribe for updates on this or any other course, please click the ‘Subscribe for Updates’ button above. If you have any questions please email CESPE@UGent.be.