Cerestar launches Sorbidex formulation

C*Sorbidex P and C*Sorbidex S are the latest products to come out of Cerestar's sorbitol product range. The Sorbidex S formulation comes in coarse and fine grades to not only suit API particle size but also promote rapid solubility in water.

This reduced calorie, non-cariogenic bulk excipient is suitable as a diluent in tablet, capsule and powder formulations, a sweetening agent, or a plasticiser for gelatin capsules. It is medically useful as the main ingredient in chewing gum where it is used as a drug delivery system. In addition, the absence of fermentation by oral bacteria, Sorbidex S will not cause tooth decay.

Cerestar's Sorbidex P formulation comprises of compressed sorbitol and is also availble in released coarse and fine grade. Its properties make it suitable as a deiluent/binder in direct compression and wet and dry granulation, a diluent in capsule and powder formulations and as a plasticiser for gelatine capsules.

Mark Wastijn, marketing director for Cerestar told In-PharmaTechnologist.com​: "sorbitol is widely used as an excipient in the pharmaceutical industry. Its sweet-tasting and non-cariogenic properties make it an ideal choice for a range of applications."​

"Sorbitol is a product offered by a number of producers and it is pretty much standardised with no major differences between the manufacturers."​

Sorbitol is the most commonly used polyol at present. It belongs to a group of compounds commonly used as pulverulents in the drug industry and has the advantage of being cheap with a good range of particle size - the aim is generally to match the size of the carrier to the API - which improves processing.

"Starch-based excipients continue to grow as pharmaceutical customers look for non-animal based and non-synthetic excipients. This is primarily a health choice. We think that an animal based product (i.e gelatin) has many variables in the production process that can influence quality,"​ Wastijn commented.

Cerestar's venture into the pharmaceutical sector has seen them develop a strategy which includes recently creating a team specifically for the pharmaceutical industry. This team, consisting of sales, applications, regulatory and quality assurance specialists, is focusing on the European pharmaceutical markets.

Cerestar​ plans to release a new soy product range in June but was unable to elaborate further. Wastijn said there were also plans to extend the polyol range in the future, which was not possible at the moment due to legislation.