BASF announced the availability of Soluplus polymeric solubilizer at the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) Annual Meeting in November 2009. "Soluplus polymeric solubilizer helps customers in the pharmaceutical industry develop and produce innovative drug products containing active substances of poor solubility and bioavailability that could not have been formulated with conventional excipients," said Nicholas Shackley, Business Director, Pharma Ingredients and Services, for BASF in North America "Since Soluplus polymeric solubilizer is hydrophilic and lipophilic, it provides higher bioavailability with Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). Its amorphous granules help to form solid solutions and better tablets."
Soluplus polymeric solubilizer was developed especially for pharmaceuticals produced by hot melt extrusion, where the individual ingredients of a dosage are not simply compressed into a tablet. Instead, a polymer like Soluplus polymeric solubilizer is added to the ingredients and the combination is mixed and melted at high temperatures in an extruder. The process yields what are called solid solutions, enabling poorly soluble drugs with limited bioavailability to be administered in tablet form.
Soluplus polymeric solubilizer is a graft copolymer comprised of polyethylene glycol, polyvinylcaprolactam and polyvinylacetate. This unique structure provides ideal interactions with APIs through hydrogen bonding, leverages stability and enhances solubility of drugs. Soluplus polymeric solubilizer can also be used to prepare solid dispersions by spray drying, melt granulation and coprecipitation.
With its polymer chemistry expertise and clear commitment to developing new pharmaceutical excipients, BASF contributes significantly to its customers' success. A global team of experts strives continuously to develop and improve BASF's portfolio of active pharmaceutical ingredients and excipients.