Thermoreversible API Formulation for Ambient-Solid Dispensing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The development of dispenseable formulations for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) is challenging due to the need for physiochemical properties that allow dispensability at moderate temperatures while being solid at ambient temperatures, and suitability for a broad range of APIs.

Innovation Solution

A formulation comprising 5-30 wt.-% gelling agents like gelatin or agar, 0.5-5 wt.-% silica, 10-35 wt.-% hydrated vegetable fats with a melting point of 35° C. to 55° C., 10-30 wt.-% carbohydrates or sugar alcohols, and 40-70 wt.-% solvents, which are thermoreversible and suitable for a wide range of APIs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the formulation uses gelling agents and lipid-based excipients to enable dispensability at moderate temperatures, then the dispensability is improved, but the formulation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedispensabilityVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The formulation uses a composite system combining gelling agents (gelatin, agar) with lipid-based excipients (hydrated vegetable fats) to create a material that exhibits both solid-like stability at ambient temperature and liquid-like dispensability at moderate temperature. This composite approach allows the formulation to achieve contradictory properties of being both structurally stable and easily dispensable under different conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The formulation exploits temperature as a critical parameter to change its physical state. By selecting lipid-based excipients with melting points between 35-55°C, the formulation transitions from a solid state at ambient temperature to a liquid state at moderate temperature, enabling dispensability only when needed without compromising storage stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the formulation is designed to be solid at ambient temperature for stability, then the storage stability is improved, but the dispensability at moderate temperature deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage stabilityVSAvoiddispensability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The formulation is designed to undergo a phase transition from solid to liquid at a specific temperature range (35-55°C). The lipid-based excipients are selected based on their melting points within this range, allowing the formulation to remain solid and stable during storage at ambient temperature, then transition to a liquid state for easy dispensing when heated to moderate temperatures during the dispensing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

3Adaptability or versatility

If the formulation uses a broad range of excipients to suit various APIs, then the versatility is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuitability for broad range of APIsVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The formulation employs excipients that serve multiple functions simultaneously. The gelling agents provide both structural stability and temperature-responsive gelation, while the lipid-based excipients provide both solubility enhancement and temperature-dependent flow properties. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized excipients for different API types, simplifying the overall formulation approach despite the broad applicability.

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

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 enables precise, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly production of personalized solid dosage forms with tailored dosages and release characteristics, suitable for a broad range of APIs, reducing waste and environmental burden.

Implementation Method 1

The formulation should be dispenseable at moderate temperature while solid at ambient temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase transition: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

the melting point of the one or more hydrated vegetable fats is from 35° C. to 55° C.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 3

5-30 wt.-% of one or more gelling agents selected from a group consisting of gelatin, agar, and combinations thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGelation: Gel

Implementation Method 4

the formulation should be suitable for a broad range of active pharmaceutical ingredients

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermoreversibility:

Data Source

PatentUS20250345315A1Dispenseable formulation for active pharmaceutical ingredients
Publication Date: 2025.11.13 CURIFYLABS OY

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to formulations which can be admixed with active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) to produce dispenseable dispersions. The disclosure also relates to methods for preparing solid dosage formulations of APIs using the formulations. The formulations include 5-30 wt.-% one or more gelling agents, 0.5-15 wt.-% silica, 10-35 wt.-% of one or more lipid-based excipients, such as cocoa butter and/or hydrated coconut oil, 10-30 wt.-% carbohydrates and/or sugar alcohols, and 40-70 wt.-% one or more solvents.