Multiparticulate technologies hot for controlled release

Multiparticulates (MPs) are increasingly used due to their flexibility in providing controlled-release, fixed-dose combinations, ease of taste-masking, and suitability for pediatric applications, according to David Lyon, senior vice-president of research with Bend Research, a division of Capsugel. “MP formulations provide flexibility in dosing from six months of age forward and can be formatted into sachets, orally dissolving tablets, or capsules, inclusive of sprinkle capsules, to facilitate easy mixing into liquids or soft foods,” he remarks.

Capsugel has invested in a range of MP technology options using fluid-bed based drug layering, extrusion/spheronization, mini-tablets, and more recently, proprietary melt-spray-congeal (MSC) processing to achieve bioavailability enhancement and alter/improve pharmacokinetic profiles. “MSC technology is attractive because it is a continuous process using a spinning-disk to produce smooth, tunable (typically 200-400 micron) lipid microspheres that provide a combination of controlled-release and taste-masking properties and can be further coated as required for additional functionality,” observes Lyon.

In addition to enabling MP technologies that offer combined therapies with specific release profiles, another hot area in controlled-release delivery, according to Elliott Berger, vice-president of global marketing and strategy at Catalent Pharma Solutions, is the formulation of increasingly popular combination therapies with different release profiles for different APIs. “This trend aligns with the industry focus on delivering improved patient experiences for better outcomes,” he says. A third development, which also stems from the same trend, involves the development of more sophisticated delivery profiles, including pulsatile or pH-triggered release and site-specific or buccal absorption targeting, according to Berger.

Article Details

BioPharm International
Vol. 29, No. 10
Page: 16

Citation

When referring to this article, please cite it as C. Challener, "Multiparticulate technologies hot for controlled release," sidebar to "New Drug-Delivery Methods: From Concept to Patient," BioPharm International 29 (10) 2016.