A new study has shown that plant-based capsules made from an excipient called Hypromellose (HPMC) have a faster and more predictable dissolution profile when manufactured using a thermal gelling process rather than with gelling agents.
 

Furthermore, capsules that are manufactured in this way benefit from dissolution rates that are independent of the dissolution media, according to data presented at the annual meeting of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
 

The capsules are formed using a proprietary thermal gelling process that eliminates the need for a gelling agent and salts, which can cause delayed drug release if they interact with dissolution media.
 

Dr Dominique Cade, director of polymer science for the research and development department at drug delivery innovator Capsugel, said that plant-based HPMC capsules "can be manufactured to produce consistent rates of dissolution independent of the dissolution media relative to both pH or cation nature and content, while also providing a stable environment for moisture-sensitive ingredients".
 

The director, who presented the findings at the meeting, added that the study provides important proof of concept that will benefit products requiring gelatin-like performance in an alternate polymer in the future.