Colorcon and Dow Chemical have agreed to extend and broaden their Controlled Release Alliance.
The Alliance currently provides controlled release technologies from Dow Pharma & Food Solutions, a business unit of Dow.
From 1 January 2017 it will be extended to include Dow’s advanced technology based pharmaceutical excipients.
The Alliance was announced in July 2007 to provide customised solutions, products and support services for pharmaceutical product development.
The addition of new technologies into the Alliance product portfolio enables formulation and development of fast-growing pharmaceutical applications, beyond the existing controlled release scope.
'This new phase reaffirms the longstanding commitment between the two companies to grow together and leverage their respective strengths,' said Martti Hedman, Chief Executive Officer of Colorcon.
'With the addition of new technologies, we look forward to providing increased value for our pharmaceutical customers, strengthening our market leadership position, and continuing to be their supplier of choice.'
The Alliance portfolio will comprise controlled release technologies including Methocel CR cellulose ethers, Ethocel polymers and Polyox resins, as well as the additional excipient technologies, including Affinisol polymers for solubility enhancement, Enteract polymers for enteric tablet coatings, and Duolite and Amberlite ion exchange resins for controlled release and other applications.
Affinisol is a new science-driven offering to enhance the solubility profile of poorly soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients. This technology is suitable for formulating BCS Class II and Class IV compounds via spray dry dispersion or hot melt extrusion.
Amberlite and Duolite are powdered ion exchange resins used as formulation excipients.
They have a broad range of applications, including taste-masking, tablet disintegration, modified release and the formulation of poorly soluble or unstable drug compounds.
'The expansion of the Alliance portfolio enables Dow to extend a more robust pharmaceutical offering to a wider base of customers through this collaboration,' said Marc van Gerwen, Business Director of Dow Pharma & Food Solutions.
The agreement also renews the Alliance innovation partnership, in which Colorcon and Dow collaborate on the development and commercialisation of the next-generation controlled release excipients.
