Following another strong year for pharmaceutical development and manufacturing technologies, readers of The Medicine Maker have had their say – and we are delighted to announce the Grand Winner of The Innovation Awards 2025: DOMINA from IMA Active.
Designed as a modular technological platform for Pharma 4.0 manufacturing, DOMINA reimagines tablet compression for an industry facing growing demands around flexibility, sustainability, data integrity, and time-to-market. DOMINA allows manufacturers to configure the ideal setup for different powders, formulations, and tablet types – including transitions between mono- and bilayer production.
Its plug-and-play architecture is supported by a suite of process-focused innovations, including the patented Dynamicam filling system, single-motorized paddle feeding solutions, and Preforma, a special compaction cam designed to enhance powder de-aeration and reduce the risk of lamination and capping. Combined with advanced automation, adaptive diagnostics, machine learning capabilities, and the Kortex MAX HMI system, DOMINA offers manufacturers a flexible, data-driven platform for oral solid dose production.
To learn more about the thinking behind DOMINA, the technical challenges involved in its development, and how digitalization is shaping the future of tablet production, we spoke with Luca Cavazzini, Sales & Marketing Director at IMA Active.
What big challenges do pharmaceutical manufacturers face in oral solid dose production today?
Today, pharmaceutical manufacturers are navigating a convergence of challenges that go beyond pure production performance. Sustainability is becoming a strategic priority, requiring energy-efficient technologies, reduced waste, and more responsible use of resources. At the same time, regulatory expectations around data integrity and compliance are increasing, while supply chain volatility pushes companies to seek more flexible and resilient production models. Another critical aspect is the growing complexity of processes, combined with the need to reduce time-to-market. This calls for technologies that are not only highly efficient, but also adaptable, easy to operate, and capable of integrating seamlessly into digital ecosystems.
How did the idea for DOMINA first come about?
DOMINA was born from a simple but fundamental question: how can we rethink tablet compression to better respond to a fast-changing industry?
We realized that traditional machine concepts were reaching their limits in terms of flexibility and scalability. The idea was to create not just a new tablet press, but a platform – a modular system where functional blocks could be reconfigured according to production needs.
This vision led to a “new technological language” in tableting, combining mechanical excellence with digital intelligence, and enabling manufacturers to move from fixed configurations to adaptable production systems.
How did you overcome the main technical challenges in developing the platform?
The main challenge was ensuring high performance and process stability while introducing new levels of flexibility and automation. Modularity often risks compromising robustness or process stability, so we worked extensively on ensuring that each interchangeable module would maintain the same level of precision and consistency.
At the same time, we focused on critical phases of the tableting process, starting from powder handling and die filling. The development of the Dynamicam system, for instance, enables highly precise and consistent die filling, even at high speeds, improving weight uniformity and overall product quality.
On the compression side, we focused on better control of how the powder behaves throughout the compaction cycle. The introduction of an additional compaction step with the Preforma compaction cam allows for a more gradual densification of the powder bed, improving air removal and stress distribution before main compression.
Finally, we integrated advanced control systems and automation to ensure that these performances can be maintained consistently over time, reducing variability and supporting more stable, reliable processes.
Was there a big breakthrough or “eureka” moment during development?
Rather than a single breakthrough, development was driven by a deeper understanding of the compression process itself.
A key step forward was the ability to better control how the powder behaves throughout the different phases of compaction, rather than only focusing on the final compression force. This shift enabled us to rethink how stress, density, and air removal are managed across the entire cycle.
What makes DOMINA a deserved Innovation Awards winner?
DOMINA stands out because it doesn’t simply improve performance, it redefines how performance is achieved, addressing some of the most critical and persistent challenges in tablet manufacturing at process level.
Its modular architecture, combined with adaptive automation and machine learning capabilities, allows manufacturers to optimize processes in real time, reduce waste, and improve energy efficiency.
At the same time, it addresses key industry needs such as flexibility, scalability, and sustainability, making it a forward-looking solution rather than an incremental upgrade. That combination of vision and tangible impact is what makes it a deserving Innovation Awards winner.
How could this innovation affect pharmaceutical manufacturing and, ultimately, patients?
For manufacturers, DOMINA enables more efficient, flexible, and reliable production, reducing downtime, optimising resource usage, and accelerating time-to-market.
Ultimately, this translates into better availability of medicines, more consistent product quality, and potentially lower production costs. For patients, innovation at the manufacturing level means faster access to therapies and improved reliability of the treatments they rely on every day
What role does digitalization play in the future of tablet production?
Digitalization is a key enabler of the future of tablet production. Technologies such as real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and advanced algorithms allow machines to continuously adapt and optimize their performance.
This leads to more stable processes, reduced waste, and better decision-making based on data. At the same time, digital tools improve usability through guided interfaces and diagnostics, helping operators manage complexity more effectively.
The challenge moving forward will be ensuring data integration, regulatory compliance, and the development of the right skills to fully leverage these technologies.
What interest have you seen from the pharma industry so far?
The response from the industry has been very strong, particularly from manufacturers working with complex or sensitive formulations.
There is growing interest in technologies that can improve process robustness and reduce variability, especially under high-speed production conditions. In this sense, solutions that enhance powder handling and compaction control are seen as key enablers to achieve consistent quality.
More broadly, companies are looking for reliable ways to increase efficiency without compromising product integrity, and this is where DOMINA is generating strong attention.
How important is innovation in oral solid dose manufacturing? And what would you like to see in the pipeline in the future?
Innovation is essential, it is not just about improving efficiency, but about ensuring that manufacturing can keep pace with the evolving needs of healthcare.
Looking ahead, we expect to see further developments in continuous manufacturing, deeper integration of AI and digital twins, and even more flexible and sustainable production models.
At the same time, innovation should remain focused on usability and accessibility, ensuring that advanced technologies can be effectively adopted by people. The real goal is to create a balance between technological sophistication and human-centered design.
Nominations for the The Medicine Maker Innovation Awards 2026 will open on July 31
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