Glycogen Polysaccharide Matrix for Controlled Release Formulations

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing controlled release pharmaceutical and food formulations often exhibit unpredictable release profiles, require additional excipients for suitable hardness and friability, and fail to completely release the active ingredient, leading to reduced effectiveness and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A controlled release formulation comprising a mixture of glycogen with a polysaccharide, such as hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, which allows for zero-order release kinetics, complete active ingredient release, and suitable industrial production characteristics without additional excipients.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional excipients are used for controlled release formulations, then the formulation structure is established, but the release profile becomes unpredictable and active ingredient release is incomplete

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelease profile predictabilityVSAvoidactive ingredient release completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite material system consisting of glycogen (a polysaccharide) combined with specific excipients including hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, and stearic acid. This composite approach creates a matrix that provides both predictable controlled release kinetics and complete active ingredient release, resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If additional excipients are added to achieve suitable hardness and friability, then the formulation becomes manufacturable, but the formulation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehardness and friabilityVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs excipients that serve multiple functions simultaneously. For example, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose acts as both a binder and a controlled release matrix, while microcrystalline cellulose provides both structural integrity and flow properties. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of excipients needed while maintaining manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If conventional formulations are used, then production can proceed, but manufacturing reproducibility is reduced and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing reproducibilityVSAvoidproduction costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for excipient quantities and physical properties. For example, it defines specific viscosity ranges for hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and precise weight ratios of components. These parameter specifications ensure consistent manufacturing outcomes and reduce variability between batches, improving reproducibility while optimizing cost-effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The formulation achieves sustained release of active ingredients over extended periods, ensuring nearly complete release and maintaining therapeutic levels for several hours, facilitating single daily administration and improving manufacturing reproducibility and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

The formulation achieves sustained release of active ingredients over extended periods

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

The mixture of a glycogen with a polysaccharide...allows for zero-order release kinetics

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectErosion: Erosion

Data Source

PatentEP2389163B1Controlled release pharmaceutical or food formulation and process for its preparation
Publication Date: 2021.09.01 AZIENDE CHIMHE RIUNITE ANGELINI FRANCESCO A C R A F
  • EP2389163B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2389163B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2389163B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a controlled release pharmaceutical or food formulation comprising at least one active pharmaceutical or food ingredient dispersed in a mixture of a glycogen with a polysaccharide, and the process for its preparation. The invention also relates to a slow release system represented by a mixture of a glycogen with a polysaccharide, and its use for the preparation of slow release pharmaceutical or food formulations.