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Surface erosion of uncoated tablets results in processing problems such as dusting and defects during coating and is governed by the strength of particle bonding on tablet surface. In this study, the correlation between dusting tendency of tablets in a coating pan with friability and laser ablation surface hardness was assessed using tablets containing different concentrations of magnesium stearate and tartaric acid. Surface erosion propensity of different batches was evaluated by assessing their dusting tendency in the coating pan. In addition, all tablets were analyzed for crushing strength, friability, modified friability test using baffles in the friability apparatus, and weight loss after laser ablation. Tablets with similar crushing strength showed differences in their surface erosion and dusting tendency when rotated in a coating pan. These differences did not correlate well with tablet crushing strength or friability but did show reasonably good correlation with mass loss after laser ablation. These results suggest that tablet surface mass loss by laser ablation can be used as a minipiloting (small-scale) tool to assess tablet surface properties during early stages of drug product development to assess the risk of potential large-scale manufacturing issues.

Real-time process monitoring using a process analytical technology for granule size distribution can enable quality-by-design in drug product manufacturing. In this study, the resolution and sensitivity of chord length distribution (CLD) measured inline inside a high shear granulator using focused beam reflectance measurement (FBRM) C35 probe was investigated using different particle size grades of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). In addition, the impact of water and impeller tip speed on the measurement accuracy as well as correlation with offline particle sizing techniques (FBRM, laser diffraction [Malvern Mastersizer®], microscopy [Sympatec QicPic®], and nested sieve analysis) was studied. Inline FBRM resolved size differences between different MCC grades, and the data correlated well with offline analyses. Impeller tip speed changed the number density of inline CLD measurements while addition of water reduced the CLD of dry MCC, likely due to deagglomeration of primary particles. In summary, inline FBRM CLD measurement in high shear granulator provides adequate resolution and reproducible measurements in the pharmaceutically relevant size range both in the presence and in the absence of water. Therefore, inline FBRM can be a valuable tool for the monitoring of high shear wet granulation.

Drug-excipient interactions in solid dosage forms can affect drug product stability in physical aspects such as organoleptic changes and dissolution slowdown, or chemically by causing drug degradation. Recent research has allowed the distinction in chemical instability resulting from direct drug-excipient interactions and from drug interactions with excipient impurities. A review of chemical instability in solid dosage forms highlights common mechanistic themes applicable to multiple degradation pathways. These common themes include the role of water and microenvironmental pH. In addition, special aspects of solid-state reactions with excipients and/or excipient impurities add to the complexity in understanding and modeling reaction pathways. This paper discusses mechanistic basis of known drug-excipient interactions with case studies and provides an overview of common underlying themes. Recent developments in the understanding of degradation pathways further impact methodologies used in the pharmaceutical industry for prospective stability assessment. This paper discusses these emerging aspects in terms of limitations of drug-excipient compatibility studies, emerging paradigms in accelerated stability testing, and application of mathematical modeling for prediction of drug product stability.

Excipients are generally pharmacologically inert, but can interact with drugs in the dosage form and the physiological factors at the site of absorption to affect the bioavailability of a drug product. A general mechanistic understanding of the basis of these interactions is essential to design robust drug products. This paper focuses on drug-excipient interactions in solid dosage forms that impact drug bioavailability, the drug substance and drug product properties affected by excipients, and the impact of excipients on physiologic processes. The extent to which drug bioavailability is affected by these interactions would vary on a case-by-case basis depending upon factors such as the potency and dose of the drug, therapeutic window, site of absorption, rate limiting factor in drug absorption (e.g., permeability or solubility limited), or whether drug metabolism, efflux, complexation, or degradation at the site of absorption play a role in determining its bioavailability. Nonetheless, a mechanistic understanding of drug-excipient interactions and their impact on drug release and absorption can help develop formulations that exhibit optimum drug bioavailability.

Reactive peroxides in povidone often lead to degradation of oxidation-labile drugs. To reduce peroxide concentration in povidone, the roles of storage conditions, antioxidants, and silicates were investigated. Povidone alone and its physical mixtures with ascorbic acid, propyl gallate, sodium sulfite, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), or butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) were stored at 25 °C and 40 °C, at 11%, 32%, and 50% relative humidity. In addition, povidone solution in methanol was equilibrated with silicates (silica gel and molecular sieves), followed by solvent evaporation to recover povidone powder. Peroxide concentrations in povidone were measured. The concentration of peroxides in povidone increased under very-low-humidity storage conditions. Among the antioxidants, ascorbic acid, propyl gallate, and sodium sulfite reduced the peroxide concentration in povidone, whereas BHA and BHT did not. Water solubility appeared to determine the effectiveness of antioxidants. Also, some silicates significantly reduced peroxide concentration in povidone without affecting its functionality as a tablet binder. Porosity of silicates was critical to their ability to reduce the peroxide concentration in povidone. A combination of these approaches can reduce the initial peroxide concentration in povidone and minimize peroxide growth under routine storage conditions.

Tumor targeted drug delivery has the potential to improve cancer care by reducing non-target toxicities and increasing the efficacy of a drug. Tumor targeted delivery of a drug from the systemic circulation, however, requires a thorough understanding of tumor pathophysiology. A growing or receding (under the impact of therapy) tumor represents a dynamic environment with changes in its angiogenic status, cell mass, and extracellular matrix composition. An appreciation of the salient characteristics of tumor vascular architecture and the unique biochemical markers that may be used for targeting drug therapy is important to overcome barriers to tumor drug therapy and to facilitate targeted drug delivery. This review discusses the unique aspects of tumor vascular architecture that need to be overcome or exploited for tumor targeted drug delivery.

Mechanical strength of tablets is an important quality attribute, which depends on both formulation and process. In this study, the effect of process variables during compression on tablet tensile strength and tabletability (the ratio of tensile strength to compression pressure) was investigated using a model formulation. Increase in turret and force feeder speeds reduced tablet tensile strength and tabletability. Turret speed affected tabletability through changes in dwell time under the compression cam and the kinetics of consolidation of granules in the die cavity. The effect of force feeder was attributed to the shearing of the granulation, leading to its over-lubrication. A dimensionless equation was derived to estimate total shear imparted by the force feeder on the granulation in terms of a shear number. Scale-independence of the relationship of tabletability with the shear number was explored on a 6-station Korsch press, a 16-station Betapress, and a 35-station Korsch XL-400 press. The use of this relationship, the exact nature of which may be formulation dependent, during tablet development is expected to provide guidance to the scale-up and interchangeability of tablet presses.

Oral absorption of hydrophobic drugs can be significantly improved using lipid-based non-particulate drug delivery systems, which avoid the dissolution step. Micellar and microemulsion systems, being the most dispersed of all, appear the most promising. While these systems show high drug entrapment and release under sink conditions, the improvement in oral drug bioavailability is often unpredictable. The formulation and drug-related biopharmaceutical aspects of these systems that govern oral absorption have been widely studied. Among these, preventing drug precipitation upon aqueous dilution could play a predominant role in many cases. Predictive ability and quick methods for assessment of such problems could be very useful to the formulators in selecting lead formulations. This review will attempt to summarize the research work that could be useful in developing these tools.

This study proposes an approach for quantifying the amount of pharmaceutical powder adhering (quality attribute) to the metals surfaces. The effect of surface roughness (detrimental attribute) on the amount of powder sticking to a stainless steel surface for a model pharmaceutical material is also qualitatively determined. Methodology to quantify powder adhesion to surfaces utilises a texture analyser and HPLC. The approach was validated to qualitatively investigate effect of metal surface roughness on adhesion of mefenamic acid. An increase in metal surface roughness resulted in an increase in cohesion. By increasing the average roughness from 289nm to 407nm, a 2.5 fold increase in amount adhering to metal was observed, highlighting the role of surface roughness on adhesion. The simplicity in experimental design with no requirement of specialised equipment and operational ease makes the approach very easy to adopt. Further, ease in interpreting results makes this methodology very attractive.

Modern drug product development is expected to follow quality-by-design (QbD) paradigm. At the same time, although there are several issue-specific examples in the literature that demonstrate the application of QbD principles, a holistic demonstration of the application of QbD principles to drug product development and control strategy, is lacking. This article provides an integrated case study on the systematic application of QbD to product development and demonstrates the implementation of QbD concepts in the different aspects of product and process design for brivanib alaninate film-coated tablets. Using a risk-based approach, the strategy for development entailed identification of product critical quality attributes (CQAs), assessment of risks to the CQAs, and performing experiments to understand and mitigate identified risks. Quality risk assessments and design of experiments were performed to understand the quality of the input raw materials required for a robust formulation and the impact of manufacturing process parameters on CQAs. In addition to the material property and process parameter controls, the proposed control strategy includes use of process analytical technology and conventional analytical tests to control in-process material attributes and ensure quality of the final product.

Precipitation of weakly basic drugs in intestinal fluids can affect oral drug absorption. In this study, the implications of self-association of brivanib alaninate in acidic aqueous solution, leading to supersaturation at basic pH condition, on its solubility and oral absorption were investigated. Self-association of brivanib alaninate was investigated by proton NMR spectroscopy, surface tension measurement, dynamic light scattering, isothermal titration calorimetry, and molecular modeling. Drug solubility was determined in various pH media, and its tendency to supersaturate upon pH shift was investigated in buffered and biorelevant aqueous solutions. Pharmacokinetic modeling of human oral drug absorption was utilized for parameter sensitivity analyses of input variables. Brivanib alaninate exhibited continuous, and pH- and concentration-dependent self-association. This phenomenon resulted in positive deviation of drug solubility at acidic pH and the formation of a stable supersaturated drug solution in pH-shift assays. Consistent with the supersaturation phenomenon observed in vitro, oral absorption simulations necessitated invoking long precipitation time in the intestine to successfully predict in vivo data. Self-association of a weakly basic drug in acidic aqueous solution can increase its oral absorption by supersaturation and precipitation resistance at the intestinal pH. This consideration is important to the selection of parameters for oral absorption simulation.

This work aimed to evaluate the commonly used scale-up rules for high-shear wet granulation process using a microcrystalline cellulose-lactose-based low drug loading formulation. Granule properties such as particle size, porosity, flow, and tabletability, and tablet dissolution were compared across scales using scale-up rules based on different impeller speed calculations or extended wet massing time. Constant tip speed rule was observed to produce slightly less granulated material at the larger scales. Longer wet massing time can be used to compensate for the lower shear experienced by the granules at the larger scales. Constant Froude number and constant empirical stress rules yielded granules that were more comparable across different scales in terms of compaction performance and tablet dissolution. Granule porosity was shown to correlate well with blend tabletability and tablet dissolution, indicating the importance of monitoring granule densification (porosity) during scale-up. It was shown that different routes can be chosen during scale-up to achieve comparable granule growth and densification by altering one of the three parameters: water amount, impeller speed, and wet massing time.

Unintended physicochemical interaction of an excipient with a drug substance in a dosage form can result in the complexation or binding of the drug, resulting in slow and/or incomplete drug release in a dissolution medium. It is important to assess the risk whether such interactions would reduce oral bioavailability of a drug from its dosage form. This chapter describes the development of a methodology to assess the biorelevance of the drug release impact of drug-excipient binding interactions using a model compound, brivanib alaninate. This methodology was developed using a combination of modeling and simulation tools as well as experimental data generated in vitro and in vivo. In addition, general application of this principle and methodology to other drug substances and binding affinities of drugs with excipients as a function of dose is described.

Reactive impurities in pharmaceutical excipients can affect drug product instability, leading to decreased product performance, loss in potency, and/or formation of potentially toxic degradants. The levels of reactive impurities in excipients may vary between lots and vendors. Screening of excipients for these impurities and a thorough understanding of their potential interaction with drug candidates during early formulation development can ensure robust drug product development. This chapter identifies the type and concentration of potentially reactive impurities in commonly used excipients. The excipient impurities are categorized into six major classes: reducing sugars, aldehydes, peroxides, metals, nitrate/nitrite, and organic acids. The sources/generation of these impurities, analytical methods for their detection and quantitation, stability of these impurities upon storage and processing, and their potential reactions with drug candidates are discussed. Specific examples of drug–excipient impurity interaction are presented as illustrative case studies. Mitigation strategies and corrective measures are also discussed.

Smart polymers or stimuli-responsive polymers typically change their physical properties and/or structure in response to relatively minor changes in the stimulus. Changes in the environment that affect polymer properties can be called as the stimuli, while the resulting changes in the polymer and the system (such as dissolved state of the polymer in a solvent) has been termed as the response. The changes in the environment that have been exploited for biopharmaceutical applications are exemplified by pH, ionic strength, temperature, light,and magnetic or electric field. This chapter will highlight most popular smart polymers used in drug delivery.

Variability of excipient attributes has often been characterized into source-to-source variability or lot-to-lot variability from the same source or vendor, also termed intersource variability or interlot variability, respectively. The former is controlled much readily by establishing and controlling the source of raw materials. The latter is often difficult to identify, understand, and control. This chapter primarily focuses on the interlot variability of excipients from the same grade and source or supplier and provides a comprehensive framework of approaches that can be proactively adopted to understand and investigate lot-to-lot variability encountered in excipients, with an intent to building a robust drug product with a sound control strategy around critical material attributes.

Reactive impurities in excipients are often the attributed cause of drug product instability. Development of an excipient and drug product control strategy requires detailed understanding, identification, and quantitation of the rate and extent of formation of reactive impurities in excipients. This chapter highlights some of the methodologies that can be utilized to generate such an understanding using poly(ethylene glycol) as a model excipient. A 2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) pre-column derivatization HPLC-UV method was developed to quantify levels of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in PEG solutions. Formic acid and acetic acid were quantified by HPLC-UV. Effects of excipient source, water content, pH, trace levels of hydrogen peroxide or iron metal, and antioxidants on the formation of reactive impurities was quantitated. Formic acid was the major degradation product in nearly all cases. The presence of water increased the rate of formation of all impurities, as did the presence of hydrogen peroxide and trace metals. Acidic pH increased the formation of acetaldehyde and acetic acid. Antioxidants BHA, BHT, propyl gallate vitamin E TPGS and sodium metabisulfite were effective, while ascorbic acid and acetic acid were not. This work highlights the general methodology that can be used to study reactive impurities in excipients.

Ex vivo gene therapy approaches can improve the outcome of islet transplantation for treating type I diabetes. We have previously shown the improvement in islet function and vascularization following ex vivo transfection for human vascular endothelial growth factor (hVEGF) gene expression. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that co-expression of two genes, which target different challenges faced by islets post-transplantation, supplement each other to improve the survival and function of islets. We determined whether there is an additive effect of hVEGF and human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (hIL-1Ra) gene expression in human islets.Human islets were co-infected with adenoviral vectors encoding hVEGF and hIL-1Ra. Islets were then incubated with a cocktail of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta+TNFalpha+IFNgamma), and islet viability and function were determined. In vivo function was evaluated by transplanting islets under the kidney capsules of streptozotocin-induced non-obese diabetic severe combined immunodeficient (NOD-SCID) mice.Infection of human islets with Adv-hVEGF and/or Adv-hIL-1Ra inhibited expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), decreased the production of nitric oxide (NO), and prevented the loss of in vitro glucose-stimulated insulin response and viability. Moreover, co-expression of hVEGF and hIL-1Ra reduced the blood glucose level of mice, and increased the level of blood insulin and c-peptide upon glucose challenge.Our results indicated that co-expression of genes that target different insults to transplanted islets can improve the outcome of islet transplantation better than either gene alone.

Islet transplantation may be used to treat type I diabetes. Despite tremendous progress in islet isolation, culture, and preservation, the clinical use of this modality of treatment is limited due to post-transplantation challenges to the islets such as the failure to revascularize and immune destruction of the islet graft. In addition, the need for lifelong strong immunosuppressing agents restricts the use of this option to a limited subset of patients, which is further restricted by the unmet need for large numbers of islets. Inadequate islet supply issues are being addressed by regeneration therapy and xenotransplantation. Various strategies are being tried to prevent beta-cell death, including immunoisolation using semipermeable biocompatible polymeric capsules and induction of immune tolerance. Genetic modification of islets promises to complement all these strategies toward the success of islet transplantation. Furthermore, synergistic application of more than one strategy is required for improving the success of islet transplantation. This review will critically address various insights developed in each individual strategy and for multipronged approaches, which will be helpful in achieving better outcomes.

Effect of headgroup structure on catonic lipid-mediated transfection was investigated with either a (i) tertiary amine, (ii) quaternary amine with a hydroxyl, or (iii) quaternary amine with mesylate as headgroups. Liposomes were formulated using cholesterol or dioleoyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine (DOPE) as colipids, and transfection efficiencies were determined in rapidly dividing colon carcinoma (CT 26) and rat aortic smooth muscle (RASM) cells as well as in nondividing human pancreatic islets using luciferase and green fluorescent protein expression plasmids, pcDNA3-Luc and pCMS-EGFP, respectively. Liposome/pDNA complexes were evaluated for DNA conformational state by circular dichroism (CD), DNA condensation by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), particle size and zeta potential by laser diffraction technique, and surface morphology by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Encouraging transfection results were obtained with the mesylate headgroup based lipid in liposome formulations with DOPE as a colipid, which were higher than the commercially available Lipofectamine formulation. We hypothesize that the additional hydrogen bonding or covalent interactions of the headgroup with the plasmid DNA, leading to higher binding affinity of the cationic lipids to pDNA, results in higher transfection. This hypothesis is supported by TEM observations where elongated complexes were observed and more lipid was seen associated with the DNA.

A novel water-soluble lipopolymer was synthesized by linking cholesteryl chloroformate to the secondary amino groups of branched poly(ethylenimine) (PEI) of 1,800 and 10,000 Da. Conjugation through PEI secondary amines gives this newly synthesized lipopolymer (abbreviated as PEI-Chol) special advantage over our previously synthesized lipopolymers, which utilized the primary amino groups for conjugation, as the primary amino groups have a significant role in DNA condensation. Also, significantly, only one cholesterol molecule was grafted onto each PEI molecule (confirmed by (1)H NMR and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry), leaving enough space for the steric interactions of the PEI's primary amines with the DNA. The PEI-Chol lipopolymer was characterized for the critical micellar concentration (cmc), buffer capacity, DNA condensation (by band retardation and circular dichroism), in vitro transfection efficiency, and cell viability. The cmcs of PEI-Chol 1,800 and PEI-Chol 10,000 were 496.6 and 1,330.5 microg/mL, respectively. The acid-base titration indicated high buffering capacity of the polymers around the pH range of 5-7, which indicated their potential for buffering in the acidic pH environment of the endosomes. The band retardation studies indicated that efficient condensation of the plasmid DNA could be achieved using these lipopolymers. The circular dichroism spectra indicated a change in DNA conformation and adoption of lower energy state upon condensation with these lipopolymers when an N/P ratio of 2.5/1 or above was formulated. The mean particle size of these complexes was in the range 110-205 nm, except for the complexes prepared using PEI of 1,800 Da, which had a mean particle size of 384 +/- 300 nm. The zeta potential of DNA complexes prepared using PEI-Chol 1,800, PEI-Chol 10,000 and PEI of 1,800, 10,000, and 25,000 Da at an N/P ratio of 15/1 was in the range 23-30 mV and was dependent on the N/P ratios. The in vitro transfection of PEI-Chol/pCMS-EGFP complexes in Jurkat cells showed high levels of expressed Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) with little toxicity as determined by flow cytometry. These novel water-soluble lipopolymers provided good transfection efficiency with other desirable characteristics such as water solubility, free primary amino groups for efficient DNA condensation and high buffer capacity that indicated the possibility of efficient endosomal release.

The role of surface properties, influenced by particle processing, in particle-particle interactions (powder cohesion) is investigated in this study. Wetting behaviour of mefenamic acid was found to be anisotropic by sessile drop contact angle measurements on macroscopic (>1cm) single crystals, with variations in contact angle of water from 56.3° to 92.0°. This is attributed to variations in surface chemical functionality at specific facets, and confirmed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Using a finite dilution inverse gas chromatography (FD-IGC) approach, the surface energy heterogeneity of powders was determined. The surface energy profile of different mefenamic acid crystal habits was directly related to the relative exposure of different crystal facets. Cohesion, determined by a uniaxial compression test, was also found to relate to surface energy of the powders. By employing a surface modification (silanisation) approach, the contribution from crystal shape from surface area and surface energy was decoupled. By "normalising" contribution from surface energy and surface area, needle shaped crystals were found to be ∼2.5× more cohesive compared to elongated plates or hexagonal cuboid shapes crystals.

Surface area and surface energy of pharmaceutical powders are affected by milling and may influence formulation, performance and handling. This study aims to decouple the contribution of surface area and surface energy, and to quantify each of these factors, on cohesion.Mefenamic acid was processed by cryogenic milling. Surface energy heterogeneity was determined using a Surface Energy Analyser (SEA) and cohesion measured using a uniaxial compression test. To decouple the surface area and surface energy contributions, milled mefenamic acid was "normalised" by silanisation with methyl groups, confirmed using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy.Both dispersive and acid-base surface energies were found to increase with increasing milling time. Cohesion was also found to increase with increasing milling time. Silanised mefenamic acid possessed a homogenous surface with a surface energy of 33.1 ± 1.4 mJ/m(2) , for all milled samples. The cohesion for silanised mefenamic acid was greatly reduced, and the difference in the cohesion can be attributed solely to the increase in surface area. For mefenamic acid, the contribution from surface energy and surface area on cohesion was quantified to be 57% and 43%, respectively.Here, we report an approach for decoupling and quantifying the contribution from surface area and surface energy on powder cohesion.

Pharmaceutical nanomaterials (NMs) encompass a wide variety of materials including drug nanoparticles (NPs), which can be amorphous or crystalline; or nanoparticulate drug delivery systems, such as micelles, microemulsions, liposomes, drug-polymer conjugates, and antibody-drug conjugates. These NMs are either transient or persistent—depending on whether the integrity of their structure and size is maintained until reaching the site of drug action. Examples of several approved drug products are included as pharmaceutical nanoparticulate systems along with a commentary on the current development issues and paradigms for various categories of NPs. This commentary discusses the preparation of nanoparticulate systems for commercial development, and the biopharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic advantages of these systems. A criterion of criticality is defined that incorporates the structure, in addition to size requirement of pharmaceutical NPs to identify systems that may require special development and regulatory considerations. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 102:3867–3882, 2013

Complete characterization and mechanistic understanding of physicochemical interactions in solid dosage forms are not only important for consistent manufacturability, stability, and bioavailability of the drug product, but are also expected under the quality-by-design paradigm of drug development. Lack of this understanding can impact successful and timely development, scale-up, and commercial manufacture of dosage forms. This article highlights the stability and bioavailability implications of physicochemical interactions in dosage forms citing a couple of examples where such interactions necessitated the recall of commercial drug products.

Three model compounds were used to study the effect of process parameters on in-process critical material attributes and a final product critical quality attribute. The effect of four process parameters was evaluated using design of experiment approach. Batches were characterized for particle size distribution, density (porosity), flow, compaction, and dissolution rate. The mechanisms of the effect of process parameters on primary granule properties (size and density) were proposed. Water amount showed significant effect on granule size and density. The effect of impeller speed was dependent on the granule mechanical properties and efficiency of liquid distribution in the granulator. Blend density was found to increase rapidly during wet massing. Liquid addition rate was the least consequential factor and showed minimal impact on granule density and growth. Correlations of primary properties with granulation bulk powder properties (compaction and flow) and tablet dissolution were also identified. The effects of the process parameters on the bulk powder properties and tablet dissolution were consistent with their proposed link to primary granule properties. Understanding the impact of primary granule properties on bulk powder properties and final product critical quality attributes provides the basis for modulating granulation parameters in order to optimize product performance.

Objectives Drug-excipient binding can affect in-vitro drug release. Literature suggests that drug-excipient ionic binding interaction that is not disrupted by physiological salt concentration in the dissolution medium can impact a drug's oral bioavailability. We investigated whether nondisruption of interaction by physiological salt concentration was an adequate predictor of its biorelevance using the binding of a model amine high dose drug brivanib alaninate (BA) to croscarmellose sodium (CCS) as an example. Methods BA was formulated into an immediate release tablet using CCS as disintegrant by a wet granulation process. In-vitro drug release was carried out as a function of pH and buffer concentration of the medium. BA-CCS binding was studied in buffer solution and data fitted to a Langmuir isotherm. A simulation model and an isothermal titration calorimetry method were developed to assess the bioavailability risk and strength of drug-excipient binding interaction, independent of physiological salt concentration consideration. Key findings BA-CCS binding was pH-dependent, reversible, ionic, and not disrupted by increasing the buffer concentration in the dissolution medium. Absorption simulation predictions of no effect of CCS binding on BA's bioavailability were confirmed by a monkey pharmacokinetic study. Conclusions A pH-dependent and reversible weak drug-excipient binding interaction is unlikely to affect the oral bioavailability of high dose drugs.

RNA interference (RNAi) strategies include double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), small interfering RNA (siRNA), short hairpin RNA (shRNA), and microRNA (miRNA). As this is a highly specific technique, efforts have been made to utilize RNAi towards potential knock down of disease-causing genes in a targeted fashion. RNAi has the potential to selectively inhibit gene expression by degrading or blocking the translation of the target mRNA. However, delivering these RNAs to specific cells presents a significant challenge. Some of these challenges result from the necessity of traversing the circulatory system while avoiding kidney filtration, degradation by endonucleases, aggregation with serum proteins, and uptake by phagocytes. Further, non-specific delivery may result in side-effects, including the activation of immune response. We discuss the challenges in the systemic delivery to target cells, cellular uptake, endosomal release and intracellular transport of RNAi drugs and recent progress in overcoming these barriers. We also discuss approaches that increase the specificity and metabolic stability and reduce the off-target effects of RNAi strategy.

Reactive impurities in pharmaceutical excipients could cause drug product instability, leading to decreased product performance, loss in potency, and/or formation of potentially toxic degradants. The levels of reactive impurities in excipients may vary between lots and vendors. Screening of excipients for these impurities and a thorough understanding of their potential interaction with drug candidates during early formulation development ensure robust drug product development. In this review paper, excipient impurities are categorized into six major classes, including reducing sugars, aldehydes, peroxides, metals, nitrate/nitrite, and organic acids. The sources of generation, the analytical method for detection, the stability of impurities upon storage and processing, and the potential reactions with drug candidates of these impurities are reviewed. Specific examples of drug–excipient impurity interaction from internal research and literature are provided. Mitigation strategies and corrective measures are also discussed.

Publisher Summary The excipient compatibility is related to the physical and chemical stability of the drug in solid dosage forms. Some of the common ways by which excipients may affect drug stability in the dosage form are by altering moisture content in the dosage form, changing microenvironmental pH in the dosage form, acting as general acid–base catalysts, directly reacting with drug or becoming a source of impurities that can either directly react with drug substances or participate as catalysts in the drug degradation. The excipients can also alter the physical and/or the chemical form of the drug through, for example, ion-exchange, transformation of polymorphs, and the formation of eutectic or solid solutions. The changes in physical or chemical state may in turn alter the chemical stability of the drug. Most drugs and excipients contain water, which may be either bound or unbound. The physical state of water in an excipient or the drug–excipient mixture determines its potential role in drug–excipient interactions. Presence of water in the solid-state systems has a significant impact on the stability, not only in causing the hydrolysis of drugs, e.g., of acetylsalicylic acid, but also its participation as a reaction medium, and in increasing the plasticity and molecular mobility of the system.

Purpose. Islet transplantation is limited by islet graft failure because of poor revascularization, host immune rejection, and nonspecific inflammatory response. Human vascular endothelial growth factor (hVEGF) gene delivery is likely to promote islet revascularization and survival. Methods. We evaluated gene expression from a bicistronic plasmid encoding hVEGF and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) (pCMS-EGFP-hVEGF). Glucose responsiveness of islets was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo, and revascularization in islet graft was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Results. After transfection, hVEGF and EGFP expression levels were comparable with original monocistronic plasmids in Jurkat cells but higher and prolonged hVEGF expression in islets transfected with the bicistronic plasmid was observed, possibly as the result of differences in promoter strength and hypoxia response. The 3:1 w/w complexes showed little toxicity to islets at a dose of 5 μg DNA per 2000 islets. On glucose challenge, insulin release from transfected islets as well as secretion from islets after transplantation under the mouse kidney capsules in response to glucose stimulation, increased with time. Immunohistochemical staining of transplanted islets using mouse anti-human insulin, mouse anti-human von Willebrand factor, and rat anti-mouse CD31 antibodies suggests that islets are functional and there is new blood vessel formation. Conclusions. These findings suggest that transient hVEGF gene expression by the islets may promote islet revascularization and prolong islet survival after transplantation.

Most peptide and protein drugs are currently used as parenteral formulations because of their poor oral bioavailability. Development of an effective oral delivery system for these macromolecular drugs requires a thorough understanding of their physicochemical properties, such as molecular weight, hydrophobicity, ionization constants, and pH stability, as well as biological barriers that restrict protein and peptide absorption from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including pH variability, enzymatic degradation, and membrane efflux. Various strategies currently under investigation include amino acid backbone modifications, formulation approaches, chemical conjugation of hydrophobic or targeting ligand, and use of enzyme inhibitors, mucoadhesive polymers, and absorption enhancers. However, there is only limited success because of the hostile environment of the GI tract--e.g., strong pH extremes and abundant presence of potent luminal enzymes. This review focuses on the challenges posed by the GI system and how different pharmaceutical approaches can be used to make oral delivery of protein and peptide drugs more feasible. The roles of P-glycoprotein and CYP3A4 in controlling the extent of intestinal absorption and metabolism will also be discussed.

Transplantation of pancreatic islets has great potential for treating Type I diabetes. Ex vivo gene therapy may promote re-vascularization or inhibit apoptosis of the islets and promote graft. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of non-viral gene delivery using Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP) and human Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (hVEGF(165)) expression plasmids as model reporter and therapeutic genes. LipofectAMINE/pDNA and Superfect/pDNA complexes showed high transfection efficiency in rapidly dividing Jurkat cells, but low transfection in non-dividing human islets. LipofectAMINE/pCAGGS-hVEGF transfected islets showed relatively higher levels of hVEGF than in those transfected with LipofectAMINE/pCMS-EGFP complexes or 5% glucose. To exclude endogenously secreted hVEGF, real time RT-PCR experiment was repeated using pCAGGS vector-specific forward primer and hVEGF gene-specific reverse primer. In this case, both non-transfected islets and the islets transfected with LipofectAMINE/pCMS-EGFP complexes showed negligible amplification of hVEGF. On glucose challenge, insulin release from LipofectAMINE/pCAGGS-hVEGF transfected human islets increased from 10.78 +/- 4.56 to 65 +/- 5 ng/ml, suggesting little adverse effect on islet beta cell response to glucose challenge. The low transfection efficiency is due to the islets being a cluster of approximately 1000 non-dividing cells. This underscores the importance of experimentation with the actual human islets.

Clofazimine (CLF) was formulated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) as a solid solid dispersion (SSD) to increase the aqueous solubility and dissolution rate of the drug. Different molecular weights of PEG (1500, 4000, 6000, and 9000 Da) and PVP (14,000 and 44,000 Da) were used in different drug:carrier weight ratios (1:1, 1:5, and 1:9) and their effect on the dissolution performance of the drug was evaluated in USP Type 2 apparatus using 0.1 N HCl medium. The dissolution rate was compared with corresponding physical mixtures, a currently marketed soft gelatin capsule product, and free CLF. The effect of different methods of preparation (solvent/melt) on the dissolution rate of CLF was evaluated for PEG solid dispersions. Saturation solubility and phase solubility studies were carried out to indicate drug:carrier interactions in liquid state. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to indicate drug:carrier interactions in solid state. Improvement in the drug dissolution rate was observed in solid dispersion formulations as compared to the physical mixtures. The dissolution rate improved with the decreasing weight fraction of the drug in the formulation. Polyvinyl pyrrolidone solid dispersion systems gave a better drug release profile as compared to the corresponding PEG solid dispersions. The effect of molecular weight of the PEG polymers did not follow a definite trend, while PVP 14,000 gave a better dissolution profile as compared to PVP 44,000. Improvement in saturation solubility of the drug in the solid dispersion systems was noted in all cases. Further, IR spectroscopy indicated drug:carrier interactions in solid state in one case and XRD indicated reduction in the crystallinity of CLF in another. It was concluded that solid-dispersion formulations of Clofazimine can be used to design a solid dosage form of the drug, which would have significant advantages over the currently marketed soft gelatin capsule dosage form.