Invensys Validation Technologies, Montreal, and Mathis Instruments, Fredericton, New Brunswick, signed a memorandum of understanding to offer a complete package for monitoring and automating drying control for the pharmaceutical and life science industries. This new initiative will provide a system for online moisture monitoring during drying and also will provide automated control of the fluid bed dryer. The goals are directly in line with the FDA guidance on process analytical technologies issued in September 2004. The two companies have just completed a six-month development phase for their joint offering.