Novel HPMC Capsules – Bioequivalence and Functional Performance

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) capsules are well-vetted and have been used in pharmaceutical formulations for many years. But a new HPMC-polymer capsule (Vcaps® Plus) made through an innovative thermo-gelation process avoids the addition of gelling agents that can react with the pH or ionic strengths of dissolution media, providing gelatin-like performance. 

Although HPMC capsules are used in marketed drugs, there are few comparisons of the in-vivo performance between gelatin and HPMC in literature. 

Key Learning Objectives:

• Characteristics of leading-edge HPMC capsules
• The in-vitro and in-vivo performance comparison of HGC vs. HPMC for several drugs
• Functional performance of HPMC when used with weakly-basic drugs

Presented by:

• Matt Richardson, Ph.D., Manager, Pharmaceutical Business Development, Capsugel

• Michael Morgen, Ph.D., Senior Principal Scientist, Bend Research