OSD
There are several major trends that are emerging in the capsule space, with notable movements occurring in recent years.
Currently, there is a growing demand for new materials to replace the traditional gelatine capsule shell. One of the reasons for this is the increased importance of offering an alternative vegan capsule for patients who, for dietary reasons, do not want to consume animal products. Gelatine poses potential long-term performance challenges that can impact on the shelf life of a product.
Another trend we are seeing is for the development of more sophisticated capsules to serve as research tools in pharmaceutical development. For example, there have been capsules created that allow for monitoring of external conditions, such as pH, and external control over drug release. These newly developed tools can be used in clinical research, such as in drug absorption studies, and they can contribute to faster and more efficient development of oral pharmaceutical products.
In terms of the manufacturing process, capsule filling is gradually becoming more efficient and, in combination with new capsule materials, such as HPMC, this is making capsules an even more attractive oral solid dosage form for many drug products.
In an article with European Pharmaceutical Review, our Senior Director, Technology Officer at Recipharm, Torkel Gren, shares some of the key trends and developments in capsules over the years.
