New film technology for drug delivery

BioProgress, a UK company engaged primarily in the development and commercialisation of water soluble and biodegradable films and process machinery, has launched its new TABWRAP and WAFERTAB technologies.

Prototype production equipment is being constructed for both technologies, while regulatory and product evaluation work has already begun with a number of customers.

TABWRAP is a high-speed, continuous dry process for individually wrapping compressed tablets in an edible film sheet. It is particularly suitable for fragile tablet formulations that can chip and damage while being tumbled in the traditional coating process and is an attractive alternative to film, sugar and gelatine batch coating systems. As it is a continuous process there is no upper or lower limit to the batch size.

It uses BioProgress's proprietary XGel films, which dissolve rapidly and thus provide fast release of active ingredients. TABWRAP gives tablets a 'bright, glossy finish', which may be printed, coloured, flavoured and used for tablet coding. Single, two and even three colour tablets can be produced.

The second new technology, WAFERTAB, is an accurate process for incorporating active ingredients into an edible film strip. This novel delivery system ensures rapid dissolution and release of actives when the strip comes into contact with saliva in the mouth, making it an ideal dosage form for the elderly, for people who have difficulty in swallowing tablets and capsules, for paediatric use and in veterinary applications. The technology lends itself to product innovation as films may be fused together in different combinations to add dosage, different ingredients, taste-masking flavours or films of different solubility. Films may also be printed, coloured or used for coding.

'There has already been a substantial amount of interest in TABWRAP,' said Alan Clements, director of sales & marketing at BioProgress. 'We are keen to discuss this innovative technology with a wider audience and are ready to make sample products for marketing evaluation and regulatory work.

'We are also very excited about our WAFERTAB technology. This has advantages over manufacturing methods which coat the surface of a film and are prone to abrasion during manufacture, packaging or patient handling. The possibilities for innovative product development are endless.'