Dual-HPMCAS Enteric Coating for Granule Water Resistance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing enteric coated granules face challenges in achieving controlled dissolution in water with a small amount of coating, while maintaining water resistance and meeting the requirements of various pH-based dissolution tests as per the Japanese Pharmacopoeia.

Innovation Solution

The development of an enteric coated granule with two layers of hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS) coatings, where the first layer has a higher solubility pH and the second layer has a lower solubility pH, applied using an aqueous dispersion type coating method to achieve controlled dissolution in water with reduced coating amount.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a large amount of enteric coating is applied to achieve water resistance, then water resistance is improved, but coating amount and production time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater resistanceVSAvoidcoating amount
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The enteric coating is divided into multiple layers with different solubility pH characteristics. The first enteric coating layer has a solubility pH of 6.0 or higher, while the second enteric coating layer has a solubility pH of 5.0 or lower. This segmentation allows each layer to perform specific functions: the first layer provides water resistance and protects against water penetration, while the second layer ensures dissolution at appropriate pH levels, thereby achieving water resistance with reduced total coating amount

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the coating structure have different properties. The first enteric coating layer (outer layer) is designed with higher solubility pH characteristics for water resistance, while the second enteric coating layer (inner layer) is designed with lower solubility pH characteristics for controlled dissolution. This local differentiation of coating properties optimizes both water resistance and dissolution characteristics without requiring excessive coating material

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple pH-based dissolution tests are conducted to meet Japanese Pharmacopoeia requirements, then dissolution control is improved, but test complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedissolution controlVSAvoidtest time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The coating structure is designed in advance with two distinct enteric coating layers having different solubility pH characteristics during the manufacturing process. This preliminary structuring ensures that the granule will automatically pass multiple pH-based dissolution tests (including pH 1.2, pH 6.8, and water dissolution tests) without requiring additional testing or adjustment, as the layered structure inherently provides the required dissolution control across different pH environments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach provides water resistance and sufficient coating properties with a smaller coating amount, protecting the granule from water penetration and reducing production time and costs, while maintaining effective dissolution across different pH levels.

Implementation Method 1

an aqueous type enteric coating method comprising a step of spraying an aqueous dispersion of enteric base material powders to form an enteric film

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpray: Spray

Implementation Method 2

The dispersion thus sprayed adhere uniformly to the surfaces of the coating objects

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 3

at least two enteric coating layers different in the solubility pH... a first enteric coating layer having a solubility pH of 6.0 or higher... and a second enteric coating layer having a solubility pH of 5.0 or lower

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectpH-dependent dissolution:

Implementation Method 4

a plasticizer sprayed simultaneously during coating penetrates into the particles of the enteric base material and plasticizes the enteric base material, leading to the formation of a film

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlasticization:

Data Source

PatentUS9095513B2Enteric coated granule and method for preparing the same
Publication Date: 2015.08.04 SHIN ETSU CHEMICAL CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention is an enteric coated granule having controlled dissolution in water even at a small coating amount; and a preparation method thereof. More specifically, provided are an enteric coated granule comprising a raw granule or a granule comprising a raw granule and at least one layer covering the raw granule, a first enteric layer covering the raw granule or the granule, and a second enteric layer formed over the first enteric layer, wherein the first and the second enteric layers comprise a first and a second hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose acetate succinates (HPMCASs) different in solubility pH, respectively, and the solubility pH value of the second HPMCAS of the second enteric layer is lower than that of the first enteric layer; and a preparation method comprising steps of covering a raw granule or a granule comprising a raw granule and at least one layer covering the raw granule with an enteric coating agent comprising a first HPMCAS to form a first enteric layer; and forming, over the first enteric layer, a second coating layer by using a second enteric coating agent comprising a second HPMCAS having a lower solubility pH value than that of the first HPMCAS.