Use Of Liquids And Soft Foods As Vehicles For Enteric Coated Bead Drug Product

By Amanda Connor

A client’s product of interest was a delayed-release capsule containing delayed-release enteric-coated microbeads used to treat a rare, genetic condition in adults and children. The design of this drug product is critical in ensuring the medicine releases in the small intestine instead of the acidic stomach and the coating of the beads is how this is controlled. The genetic condition for which this drug product treats usually presents symptoms within a child’s first year of life. Therefore, it was critical that the product be safe and effective in children and adults beginning at one year of age and older.

This article details a successful collaboration between a pharmaceutical company and Alcami, a specialized partner, to address this very issue. They focus on a way for children to receive their medication through everyday foods and liquids, improving both treatment efficacy and patient compliance.

The key hurdle was ensuring the medication wouldn't be broken down by stomach acid before reaching its target site in the intestines. Alcami's expertise came into play by designing a method to assess how various foods affected the medication. Through meticulous testing, 17 out of 20 everyday foods were identified as suitable for administering the medication, providing a diverse range of options for children worldwide.

This achievement wasn't simply about convenience. By making the medication easier to take, the collaboration directly contributed to improved treatment outcomes for children with this rare disease. The success story goes beyond the initial project, with Alcami continuing to support the ongoing production and quality control of the medication.

Take a deeper look at the challenges and solutions involved in creating a child-friendly medication delivery system, and learn about the importance of collaboration and meticulous scientific processes.