Continuous flow manufacture is an innovative technology platform, which is gaining momentum within the pharmaceutical industry. The key advantages of continuous flow include faster and safer reactions, which can be more environmentally friendly, smaller footprint, better quality product, and critically, the ability to perform chemistry that is difficult or impossible to do in batch mode. Globally, significant efforts have been made to develop the manufacturing flexibility and robustness of processes used to produce chemicals in a continuous way, yet despite these scientific developments, a major challenge for industry is the established application of flow technology to commercially relevant examples. The identification of opportunities to apply flow solutions to current processes is also critical to the success of this new technology for pharmaceutical and fine chemical companies. This review highlights industrial hurdles and the importance of education and showcases recent (2018−2019) and relevant industrial examples where utilization of flow technology has been successfully performed.

Continuous flow chemistry is often viewed as a very simple concept on paper, however scientists with significant flow chemistry experience will highlight a number of challenges that need to be overcome. Critical for the successful development of any flow process is a high level of understanding of potential pitfalls that may be encountered. A collaborative and multi‐disciplinary team of chemists and chemical engineers is essential in the development of a process from lab scale through to production. This Minireview will identify and highlight relevant risks and their subsequent mitigation strategies to ensure successful flow processing.

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