An in vitro assessment of liquid-filled capill® potato starch capsules with biphasic release characteristics

Effect of Polyethylene Glycol Content and Molar Mass on Injection Molding of Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Acetate Succinate-Based Gastroresistant Capsular Devices for Oral Drug Delivery

Capsular devices for oral drug delivery were recently proposed and manufactured by injection molding (IM) as an evolution of traditional reservoir systems comprising a core and a functional coating. IM allowed the fabrication of capsule shells with release-controlling features based on the employed materials and the design characteristics. These features are independent of the drug, with significant savings in development time and costs. In previous work, IM was used to produce enteric-soluble capsules from blends of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate, with polyethylene glycol (PEG) as the plasticizer. In this work, the range of plasticizer concentrations and molar mass was broadened to evaluate in-depth how those parameters affect material processability and capsule performance over time. As expected, increasing the amount of the low molar mass plasticizer decreased the viscosity and modulus of the material. This simplified the molding process and enhanced the mechanical resistance of the shell, as observed during assembly. However, some samples turned out translucent, depending on several factors including storage conditions. This was attributed to plasticizer migration issues. Such results indicate that higher molar mass PEGs, while not significantly impacting on processability, lead to capsular devices with consistent performance in the investigated time lapse.

Recent developments in micro- and nanofabrication techniques for the preparation of amorphous pharmaceutical dosage forms

Nano- and microfabrication techniques have been widely explored in the textile, polymer and biomedical arenas, although more recently these systems have attracted considerable interest as drug delivery vehicles with concomitant considerations of physical characterization, scalability, stability and drug release. In this review, the current thinking with regards to the manufacture of solid amorphous pharmaceutical materials using electrohydrodynamic and gyration-based approaches, melt-spinning approaches, thermal moulding, inkjet printing and 3D printing will be examined in the context of their potential and actual viability as dosage forms. A series of practical examples will be discussed as to how these approaches have been used as means of producing drug delivery systems for a range of delivery systems and treatments.

Starch capsules: an alternative system for oral drug delivery

Manufactured by the process of injection moulding, starch capsules have been shown to be a very useful alternative delivery system for orally administered compounds. This review describes the starch capsule manufacturing and filling processes and provides an overview of the capsules' physical characteristics. In addition, investigations supporting the development of novel delivery technologies based on the starch capsules are described. Particular emphasis is given to a technology that facilitates drug delivery to specific sites in the human gastrointestinal tract.