2019-11-04, Ditzinger, Felix, Price, Daniel J., Nair, Anita, Becker-Baldus, Johanna, Glaubitz, Clemens, Dressman, Jennifer, Saal, Christoph, Kuentz, Martin

Amorphous formulation technologies to improve oral absorption of poorly soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) have become increasingly prevalent. Currently, polymer-based amorphous formulations manufactured by spray drying, hot melt extrusion (HME), or co-precipitation are most common. However, these technologies have challenges in terms of the successful stabilization of poor glass former compounds in the amorphous form. An alternative approach is mesoporous silica, which stabilizes APIs in non-crystalline form via molecular adsorption inside nano-scale pores. In line with these considerations, two poor glass formers, haloperidol and carbamazepine, were formulated as polymer-based solid dispersion via HME and with mesoporous silica, and their stability was compared under accelerated conditions. Changes were monitored over three months with respect to solid-state form and dissolution. The results were supported by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (SS-NMR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was demonstrated that mesoporous silica was more successful than HME in the stabilization of the selected poor glass formers. While both drugs remained non-crystalline during the study using mesoporous silica, polymer-based HME formulations showed recrystallization after one week. Thus, mesoporous silica represents an attractive technology to extend the formulation toolbox to poorly soluble poor glass formers.

2018-07, Jankovic, Sandra, Tsakiridou, Georgia, Ditzinger, Felix, Koehl, Niklas, Price, Daniel, Ilie, Alexandra Roxana, Kalantzi, Lida, Kimpe, Kristof, Holm, Rene, Nair, Anita, Griffin, Brendan, Saal, Christoph, Kuentz, Martin

Objectives Solubility parameters have been used for decades in various scientific fields including pharmaceutics. It is, however, still a field of active research both on a conceptual and experimental level. This work addresses the need to review solubility parameter applications in pharmaceutics of poorly water‐soluble drugs. Key findings An overview of the different experimental and calculation methods to determine solubility parameters is provided, which covers from classical to modern approaches. In the pharmaceutical field, solubility parameters are primarily used to guide organic solvent selection, cocrystals and salt screening, lipid‐based delivery, solid dispersions and nano‐ or microparticulate drug delivery systems. Solubility parameters have been applied for a quantitative assessment of mixtures, or they are simply used to rank excipients for a given drug. Summary In particular, partial solubility parameters hold great promise for aiding the development of poorly soluble drug delivery systems. This is particularly true in early‐stage development, where compound availability and resources are limited. The experimental determination of solubility parameters has its merits despite being rather labour‐intensive because further data can be used to continuously improve in silico predictions. Such improvements will ensure that solubility parameters will also in future guide scientists in finding suitable drug formulations.

2019-04, Ditzinger, Felix, Price, Daniel J., Ilie, Alexandra Roxana, Koehl, Niklas, Jankovic, Sandra, Tsakiridou, Georgia, Aleandri, Simone, Kalantzi, Lida, Holm, Rene, Nair, Anita, Saal, Christoph, Griffin, Brendan, Kuentz, Martin

2018-05, Price, Daniel J., Ditzinger, Felix, Koehl, Niklas, Jankovic, Sandra, Tsakiridou, Georgia, Nair, Anita, Holm, Rene, Kuentz, Martin, Dressman, Jennifer, Saal, Christoph

Objectives Supersaturating formulations hold great promise for delivery of poorly soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). To profit from supersaturating formulations, precipitation is hindered with precipitation inhibitors (PIs), maintaining drug concentrations for as long as possible. This review provides a brief overview of supersaturation and precipitation, focusing on precipitation inhibition. Trial‐and‐error PI selection will be examined alongside established PI screening techniques. Primarily, however, this review will focus on recent advances that utilise advanced analytical techniques to increase mechanistic understanding of PI action and systematic PI selection. Key findings Advances in mechanistic understanding have been made possible by the use of analytical tools such as spectroscopy, microscopy and mathematical and molecular modelling, which have been reviewed herein. Using these techniques, PI selection can be guided by molecular rationale. However, more work is required to see widespread application of such an approach for PI selection. Summary Precipitation inhibitors are becoming increasingly important in enabling formulations. Trial‐and‐error approaches have seen success thus far. However, it is essential to learn more about the mode of action of PIs if the most optimal formulations are to be realised. Robust analytical tools, and the knowledge of where and how they can be applied, will be essential in this endeavour.

2018-08, Ditzinger, Felix, Price, Daniel, Ilie, Alexandra Roxana, Koehl, Niklas, Jankovic, Sandra, Tsakiridou, Georgia, Aleandri, Simone, Kalantzi, Lida, Holm, Rene, Nair, Anita, Saal, Christoph, Griffin, Brendan, Kuentz, Martin

Objectives This review highlights aspects of drug hydrophobicity and lipophilicity as determinants of different oral formulation approaches with specific focus on enabling formulation technologies. An overview is provided on appropriate formulation selection by focussing on the physicochemical properties of the drug. Key findings Crystal lattice energy and the octanol–water partitioning behaviour of a poorly soluble drug are conventionally viewed as characteristics of hydrophobicity and lipophilicity, which matter particularly for any dissolution process during manufacturing and regarding drug release in the gastrointestinal tract. Different oral formulation strategies are discussed in the present review, including lipid‐based delivery, amorphous solid dispersions, mesoporous silica, nanosuspensions and cyclodextrin formulations. Summary Current literature suggests that selection of formulation approaches in pharmaceutics is still highly dependent on the availability of technological expertise in a company or research group. Encouraging is that, recent advancements point to more structured and scientifically based development approaches. More research is still needed to better link physicochemical drug properties to pharmaceutical formulation design.