Inhalation-grade capsules: properties, performance and filling
Inhalation delivery offers significant benefits in the treatment of a variety of illnesses, resulting in an increase in the study and use of the pulmonary route for not only lung diseases such as asthma and COPD, but also other pathologies like diabetes and Parkinson's Disease. Some such advantages include reducing the dose and avoiding first-pass metabolism. Among the devices available for inhalation, capsule-based dry powder inhalers (DPIs) are breath-actuated, unlike metered dose inhalers that contain propellants. They are patient-friendly, easy to handle and to verify that a dose has been correctly administered. Additionally, the dosing and packaging of single powder portions in capsules using special machinery is advantageous with regard to dose accuracy and protection. Nevertheless, due to the poor flow properties of most powder formulations together with a low fill weight, micro-dosing of powders for inhalation is still a challenge and only a few technologies can be utilized for industrial automation.
In the first half of the webinar, Qualicaps will explain how capsules are manufactured and controlled for inhalation purposes, and compare gelatin vs. hypromellose capsules for this specific use. The puncturing properties of capsules and the factors involved in powder aerosolization will also be covered in detail, enabling the audience to better understand how inhalation capsules function.
In the second half, Harro Hoefliger will introduce the key properties of powders for inhalation, explain dosing technology, characterize modern modular capsule filling machines and present machine integration and scale-up. A system for 100% in-line mass verification to ensure correct fill weight, in spite of low fill weights and powder cohesiveness, will also be introduced to the audience, acquainting them with state-of-the-art filling technologies for DPI capsules.
Attend this webinar presented by Qualicaps and Harro Hoefliger for a crash course in capsule-based DPI inhalation drug delivery!
Presented by
Brian Jones,
Qualicaps Scientific Advisor
Brian Jones is Scientific Advisor for Qualicaps Europe, S.A.U. and is an Honorary Senior Lecturer in the School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK. He graduated from the University of Wales with a BPharm. In 1961 and an MPharm. in 1973. He is a Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. The major part of his career (29 years) was spent working for Eli Lilly & Co. Ltd, UK where he was involved in providing technical support to their capsule manufacturing and filling operations and in providing a service to their capsule customers in Europe, Asia, Africa and North America and took early retirement in 1994. In Lilly he was involved in the development of first inhalation capsule in the late 1960s, used in the Spinhaler® of Fisons, UK. His current research interests are in the properties of inhalation-grade hypromellose capsules and their use in dry powder inhalers.
Fernando DÃez,
Qualicaps Business Development Manager
Fernando Diez is Business Development Manager for Qualicaps Europe. He has an MBA and degrees in Chemistry and Physics. His work mission is creating new business opportunities outside of the formal review/ tender process, as well as providing scientific support to R&D areas within pharmaceutical customers. Prior to Qualicaps he worked for several companies including Sanofi, Dow Chemical and Sniace. He has published several papers and posters on capsule technology.
Dr. Karlheinz Seyfang,
Principal Consultant Pharmaceutical Technology
Karlheinz Seyfang served as head of the business unit Pharma Service for Harro Höfliger GmbH and is now Principal Consultant Pharmaceutical Technology. Before joining HH he spent 20 years in different positions in the pharmaceutical industry. His experience covers pharmaceutical development, clinical trial supplies, manufacturing and packaging of solid dosage forms. He graduated in Pharmacy from the University of Würzburg, Germany, and received his Ph.D. in pharmaceutical chemistry. At HH his focus is on powder dosing systems and sensors for dose verification.
