The new unit, based at the company’s headquarters in Morristown, New Jersey, will integrate formulation R&D with proprietary technology and commercial manufacturing as Capsugel aims to develop innovative products to address customer demand.
Amit Patel, who will serve as President of the Unit, said in a press release that “continuing to innovate and develop cutting-edge healthcare products is essential to maximizing the potential of the industry.”
Lipid-based Formulations
Patel also said that the new unit would focus on improvements in solid oral dosage products, including bioavailability enhancement and optimal dosing for potent APIs, and especially lipid-based formulations.
Lipid-based drug delivery systems (LBDDs) are an increasingly more important drug delivery technique as drugs become more complex and less soluble in water. LBDDs are a versatile way of enabling a higher dose to be encapsulated and more API to be absorbed.
Last June, Capsugel entered into a partnership with Quotient in order to boost its LBDDs know-how and two months later launched a non-profit consortium in order to establish a lipid formulation classification system.
Oral Formulation Driven by Bioavailability
Recently there has been a flow of collaborations and investments in the oral dose formulation sector as companies vie to lead the way in bioavailability.
This week in-Pharmatechnologist.com reported that Dow, Cambrex and Bend Research have formed a trifecta to tackle the issue, and Hovione and Solvias also teamed up late last year. Patheon, Catalent and Polypid have also heavily invested in oral dose formulation platforms.
On the 20th March the Bioavailability Challenge will be addressed in a special online event, organized by in-Pharmatechnologist.com. For more information on speakers and how to gain access to the event, please click here.