The invention refers to a process for preparing a
polymer-coated hard shell
capsule, wherein the hard shell
capsule comprises a body and a cap, wherein in the
closed state the cap overlaps the body either in a pre-locked state or in a final-locked state, wherein the hard shell
capsule is provided in the pre-locked state and coated with a
coating solution, suspension or dispersion comprising or consisting ofa) at least one (
meth)
acrylate copolymer a), comprising polymerized units of 5 to 25% by weight of
methacrylic acid and 75 to 95% by weight of C1-to C4-alkylesters of
methacrylic acid and / or C1-to C4-alkylesters of
acrylic acid;b) 1 to 25, preferably 5 to 18, % by weight, based on the total weight of the at least one (
meth)
acrylate copolymer a), of at least one alkali or
ammonium salt of a saturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acid having 10 to 30 carbon atoms;c)
glycerol monostearate and / or
glycerol distearate;d) at least one
plasticizer; ande) optionally at least one additive;to obtain a coated hard shell capsule in the pre-locked state. Furthermore, the invention refers to a
polymer-coated hard shell capsule obtained from the process according to the invention and the use of the
polymer-coated hard shell capsule for delayed or sustained release.