Gliclazide Dust-Free Granules via Low-Temperature Extrusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pharmaceutical formulations for oral gliclazide administration face issues such as lengthy and costly production processes, risk of active ingredient segregation and contamination, hazardous high-temperature extrusion, and pH-independent diffusive release mechanisms, which complicate production and efficacy.

Innovation Solution

Combining gliclazide with hydrophilic ingredients like hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and lipophilic ingredients with a low melting point to create dust-free granules suitable for compression, allowing for a single-step granulation-extrusion at low temperatures and subsequent tablet formation with a 24-hour release profile.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wet granulation with HPMC and multiple drying steps is used, then delayed-release matrix tablets are produced, but production time increases and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelayed-release mechanismVSAvoidproduction time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple production steps (granulation, drying, grading) into a single extrusion step that produces ready-to-compress granules directly, eliminating intermediate handling steps and reducing overall production time while maintaining the delayed-release functionality through controlled polymer composition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies process parameters by conducting extrusion at lower temperatures (below 50°C) compared to traditional high-temperature processes, and adjusts polymer composition (HPMC viscosity 4000 cps, specific ratios of hydrophilic and lipophilic components) to achieve both process efficiency and desired release characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If multiple handling steps are used in production, then granules can be processed, but risk of active ingredient segregation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegranule processingVSAvoidactive ingredient distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines granulation and extrusion into a single integrated step that produces homogeneous granules with uniform active ingredient distribution, eliminating multiple transfer and handling operations that could cause segregation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite formulation combining hydrophilic polymers (HPMC), hydrophilic ingredients (mannitol, dibasic sodium phosphate), and lipophilic ingredients (stearic acid, carnauba wax) in specific ratios to create granules with optimal flow and compression properties that maintain composition stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional granulation processes are used, then granules can be formed, but dust formation causes contamination and toxicity risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegranule formationVSAvoiddust contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical granulation processes that generate dust with an extrusion-based system that forms granules through a controlled melting and shaping process, significantly reducing dust formation and associated contamination risks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The extrusion process is conducted under controlled conditions with minimal exposure to air, and the closed-system nature of extrusion reduces the generation and dispersion of dust particles compared to open granulation processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

4Ease of manufacture

If high-temperature extrusion is used for granulation, then granules are formed, but active ingredient is damaged and working conditions become hazardous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegranule formationVSAvoidactive ingredient degradation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent fundamentally changes the temperature parameter from traditional high-temperature extrusion (>100°C) to low-temperature extrusion (below 50°C), making the process suitable for temperature-sensitive active ingredients like gliclazide while maintaining granule formation effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite material system where lipophilic ingredients (stearic acid, carnauba wax) with low melting points act as binders that become plasticized at low temperatures, enabling granule formation without subjecting the active ingredient to damaging high temperatures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 simplifies the production process, reduces handling risks, and achieves a controlled 24-hour release of the active ingredient, enhancing safety and efficiency while maintaining the stability of the active compound.

Implementation Method 1

lipophilic ingredients with a low melting point to obtain dust-free granules suitable, without further handling, for compression to form tablets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 2

The granules can be prepared in a single production step by granulation-extrusion at a temperature lower than 50°C

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExtrusion: Extrusion

Implementation Method 3

A hydrophilic core tablet is thus obtained with a mechanism of release by means of gelification

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGelification: Gel

Data Source

PatentEP2249812B9Oral pharmaceutical formulations containing gliclazide
Publication Date: 2023.03.01 VALPHARMA SA

AI summary

Herein are described pharmaceutical formulations comprising gliclazide as the active ingredient, in combination with hydrophilic ingredients, a hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and lipophilic ingredients having a low melting point in the form of dust-free granules, which without further manipulation result suitable for the preparation of tablets.