Enteric-Coated Omeprazole Microgranules in Triglyceride Suspension

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current formulations of omeprazole for oral administration are unstable in acidic environments, leading to degradation, and existing liquid suspensions have short shelf lives and are inconvenient for patients, making it difficult to provide a stable and palatable dosage form.

Innovation Solution

A stable suspension formulation of omeprazole using enteric-coated microgranules (400-1200 microns) suspended in a triglyceride ester with a disintegrant, sealing, and control release layers, including a preservative like potassium sorbate, and optional sweeteners and flavorings, to maintain stability and palatability for at least one month.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If omeprazole is provided in liquid suspension form for oral administration, then ease of administration is improved, but stability in acidic environment deteriorates leading to degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of administrationVSAvoidstability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The omeprazole is segmented into microgranules (400-1200 microns) with enteric coating layers, separating the drug from direct contact with stomach acid until the coating dissolves in the intestine, thus maintaining stability while enabling liquid suspension administration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An enteric coating layer acts as an intermediary barrier between the omeprazole and the acidic stomach environment, protecting the drug from degradation while allowing controlled release in the less acidic intestinal environment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If existing liquid suspension formulations are used, then ease of administration is improved, but shelf life deteriorates to less than one month

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of administrationVSAvoidshelf life
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The enteric coating is applied in advance to the microgranules before suspension formulation, providing pre-established protection that enables long-term stability (at least one month shelf life) while maintaining the convenience of liquid suspension administration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If enteric coating is applied to protect omeprazole from acid, then stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A thin enteric coating film is applied to the microgranules, providing effective acid protection while maintaining a simple overall formulation structure that does not significantly increase manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 provides a stable and palatable liquid suspension of omeprazole that maintains its active content for extended periods, allowing for convenient and effective administration of the drug, suitable for treating gastric-related disorders with improved patient compliance.

Implementation Method 1

An enteric coating is a polymer coating barrier which is applied to the granules or capsules to protect the omeprazole from the acid in the stomach

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnteric coating barrier:

Implementation Method 2

the coating includes one or more layers selected from a disintegrant layer, a sealing layer and a control release layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDisintegration:

Data Source

PatentEP2983715B1Long-term oily suspension with omeprazole enteric coated beads
Publication Date: 2019.05.29 VERITON PHARMA LTD

AI summary

A suspension comprising: microgranules having bead sizes in the range of 100 to 1200 microns of a benzimidazole derivative; said derivative being suspended in a triglyceride ester of a fatty acid; said suspension being stable for a least 1 month.