Application Of MicroCoat™ Technology To Mask Bitter Taste Of Amodiaquine And Artesunate In A Combination Antimalarial Formulation For Oral Paediatric Administration

By Dina Shorky, Alan Reader, Sangeetha Marri, Daniel Baker, Fang Liu

This study explores MicroCoat™, a dry‑powder–assisted fluid‑bed coating process, to create taste‑masked micropellets of the antimalarials artesunate (AS) and amodiaquine (AQ) for young children. Both drugs were layered onto microcrystalline cellulose spheres and coated with Ethocel–Methocel or Ethocel–PVP blends. The addition of magnesium stearate as a glidant reduced particle cohesion, prevented agglomeration, and enabled high‑yield manufacturing (>95%).

Taste‑masking performance was assessed using an inverting‑vial test, while drug release was evaluated in pH 5.5 acetate buffer. Increasing pore‑former content or reducing coating thickness accelerated dissolution but weakened taste masking. Several AQ formulations achieved the desired balance: rapid release (>75% in 45 minutes) with minimal drug leakage during the first minute of exposure. AS formulations showed similar trends but require further optimization.

See how MicroCoat™ proved effective for producing taste‑masked pediatric micropellets, supporting improved acceptability and adherence to fixed‑dose ASAQ therapies in low‑resource settings by downloading the poster below.