Once seen as a commodity, pharmaceutical excipients are now stepping firmly into the spotlight. The market is being reshaped by multifunctional, natural and nano-based excipients — all driven by the rise of complex APIs, innovative delivery systems, and the industry’s growing commitment to environmental and patient safety. At Surfachem, we’re proud to support you with the latest developments in this crucial space.
Multifunctional excipients: efficiency through innovation
Formulators under pressure to streamline development and cut manufacturing costs are increasingly turning to multifunctional excipients — ingredients designed to deliver several performance benefits in one. These may combine improved solubility, enhanced bioavailability and modified drug release within a single product. Typically derived from cellulose, starch, povidone and colloidal silica, these multifunctional blends — especially when co-processed — are gaining ground as the go-to solution for efficient, cost-effective formulation.
Natural excipients: sustainable and safe
With sustainability high on the agenda, interest in natural, plant-based excipients is rising. Sourced from renewable materials, these ingredients not only support environmental goals but also offer strong patient safety credentials thanks to their biocompatibility. In topical therapies, they may even improve bioavailability. At Surfachem, our applications laboratory is actively evaluating a range of promising natural candidates to help you stay ahead of the curve.
Nano-excipients: unlocking API potential
For today’s increasingly complex APIs — which often suffer from poor solubility or instability — nano-excipients offer a powerful solution. These include liposomes, micelles, dendrimers and polymeric nanoparticles, all designed to enhance dissolution and bioavailability. Even well-established excipients like polyethylene glycols (PEGs) are evolving, now forming the backbone of PEGylated nanoparticles and PEG-lipids — key components in lipid nanoparticles used across everything from analgesics and immunosuppressants to mRNA vaccines.
Meeting the challenge, together
From sustainable sourcing to advanced functionality, the excipient landscape is evolving fast — and staying ahead means making smart, informed choices. That’s why we work closely with our supplier network to help customers navigate these shifts and find the right solutions for their formulations. We call it Intelligent Distribution.
This article was written by Chris Gould, Pharmaceutical Consultant using the following texts:
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Excipients: Exciting Expansion & Innovation, Drug Development & Delivery, April 2022
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Lactose in tablets: Functionality, critical material attributes, applications, modifications and co-processed excipients, Drug Discovery Today, Volume 28, Issue 9, September 2023
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Narrative Review: Multifunction Pharmaceutical Excipients in Tablet Formulation, International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2024
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New and Novel Excipients 2022, Pharma Excipients, 2022
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A Review of 3D Printing Technology in Pharmaceutics: Technology and Applications, Now and Future, Pharmaceutics, January 2023, Volume 15, Issue 2
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A Review on the role of co-processed excipients in tablet formulations, Hybrid Advances, December 2024, Volume 7
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The Role of Functional Excipients, Tablets and Capsules Magazine, Vol. 22, No. 2, 2024
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Systematic Review of Plant-Based Excipients in Topical Drug Delivery, Ibnosina Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, 2024-11-12
Find out more
For more information on excipients and our Intelligent Distribution, please contact us or send us an email at info@surfachem.com
