Developments in Pharmaceutical Microencapsulation in the United States

Abstract

Formulation of Sophisticated Microencapsulation Solutions Boost Revenues

The progress made in drug discovery has resulted in increasingly potent new chemical entities (NCEs). Companies that are able to effectively microencapsulate insoluble compounds and ensure new product development will contribute to long-term profitability. Choosing the appropriate microencapsulation solution requires relevant solubilization technologies and determining the ideal particle size for a given delivery route. Since patent protection is critical to success in the drug delivery business, patent holders should ideally have new applications in development or participate in any efforts to file for extensions, as their products near patent expiration.

This new research service from Frost & Sullivan analyzes the developments in pharmaceutical microencapsulation in the United States and examines the most common technologies in the industry through technical and market trends. It explores the relationships between microencapsulation suppliers and the pharmaceutical industry and provides insight into this growing and dynamic market.

Creating Drugs that Suit Consumer Tastes Increase Sales

Microencapsulation can enhance the functionality of pharmaceuticals within the body, in addition to making the dosage more palatable. "The microencapsulation of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) enables more sophisticated loading, extends release profiles, is capable of targeting specific sites in the body, and can often reduce the side effects associated with a given drug therapy," says the analyst of this research service.

When pharmaceutical ingredients are left uncoated, negative responses to product taste threaten demand. Traditional tableting technologies such as pan coating remain popular, but child and geriatric patients are often reluctant to swallow large tablets. Chewable tablets designed to begin absorption in the mouth without a bitter taste and fast-dissolving tablets are popular alternatives, and catering to this segment promises a healthy revenue growth.

Imminent Patent Expirations Offer Opportunities for Reformulation

Although there are fewer opportunities than there are drug delivery competitors, a good number of existing products are set to lose patent protection or FDA exclusivity by 2010. "These expirations bring opportunities to partner with both large pharmaceutical companies seeking to modify their formulations to extend market exclusivity and enterprising generic companies" notes the analyst.

Thus, most drug delivery companies and contract research organizations are seeking to build partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, also encouraged by the trend of pharmaceuticals working in parallel with them to bring their products to market as soon as possible. Generic pharmaceutical companies have recently begun to view microencapsulation technologies as a means of adding value as they capitalize on patent expiration to overcome competition by launching new products.