Evaluation of integrated Raman-DSC technology in early pharmaceutical development: characterization of polymorphic systems.

Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Raman spectroscopy are both powerful tools used heavily in pharmaceutical development. For many studies such as polymorph characterization these two techniques are complimentary and provide data on different yet important aspects of material properties when combined together. In this work we describe an integrated Raman-DSC technology that simultaneously generates both DSC thermogram and Raman spectra of the pharmaceutical material being studied. The integrated system consists of a DSC with a Raman fiber optic probe inserted right on top of the sample furnace. The technology integrates synchronized Raman acquisition into DSC scan, enabling collection of molecular and structural information coupled with observation of thermal events. We first establish the technology by optimizing the instrumental set-up that offers relatively high-quality results for simultaneous DSC and Raman data collection. We then demonstrate the application of the technology by studying the polymorphs of d-mannitol, a common pharmaceutical excipient and BMS-A, an investigational drug candidate that exhibits multiple coexisting polymorphs. In both cases, the Raman-DSC technology was able to provide valuable information on the process of phase change and polymorph identification. Although similar information may be obtained by using various characterization techniques together, the integrated Raman-DSC indicated special advantages for industrial development such as high efficiency, material sparing and comprehensive data analysis. Moreover the technology provides an alternative to better correlate real-time phase behavior to molecular understanding. The technology thus has the potential to be used for Process Analytical Technology (PAT) purpose.

A rabbit model for sublingual drug delivery: comparison with human pharmacokinetic studies of propranolol, verapamil and captopril.

A rabbit model for investigating sublingual drug absorption was established yielding results consistent with clinical data reported in the literature. Using propranolol as a model compound the effect of formulation and dosing variables was explored as a means to characterize the limiting parameters of this model. In addition, verapamil and captopril were selected as reference compounds to compare this model to sublingual absorption in humans. Rabbits were dosed sublingually and systemic absorption was measured over time. Sublingual absorption of propranolol was dependent on dosing solution pH and volume. Intra-oral spray device did not affect the overall exposure compared to instillation using a syringe. Despite species and dosing regimen differences the relative bioavailabilities of propranolol and verapamil were very similar in rabbits and humans. In contrast, captopril absorption from the sublingual cavity of rabbits was low and did not agree with that observed in man. Here we report a sublingual rabbit model of drug delivery and its potential utility in preclinical development of intra-oral dosage forms.

Polymer degradation and in vitro release of a model protein from poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) nano- and microparticles.

The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of particle size of nano- and microparticles formulated from poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (50:50 PLGA) on polymer degradation and protein release. Since the surface area to volume ratio is inversely proportional to the particle size, it is hypothesized that the particle size would influence the polymer degradation as well as the release of the encapsulated protein. PLGA nano- and microparticles of approximate mean diameters of 0.1, 1 and 10 microm, containing bovine serum albumin as a model protein, were formulated using a multiple water-in-oil-in-water emulsion solvent evaporation technique. These particles were incubated at 37 degrees C in phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.4, 154 mM) and the particles were characterized at various time points for molecular weight of polymer, surface-associated polyvinyl alcohol content (PVA), and the particle surface topology using scanning electron microscopy. The supernatants from the above study were analyzed for the released protein and PVA content. Polymer degradation was found to be biphasic in both nano- and microparticles, with an initial rapid degradation for 20-30 days followed by a slower degradation phase. The 0.1 microm diameter nanoparticles demonstrated relatively higher polymer degradation rate (P<0.05) during the initial phase as compared to the larger size microparticles (first order degradation rate constants of 0.028 day(-1), 0.011 day(-1) and 0.018 day(-1) for 0.1, 1 and 10 microm particles, respectively), however the degradation rates were almost similar (0.008 to 0.009 day(-1)) for all size particles during the later phase. All size particles maintained their structural integrity during the initial degradation phase; however, this was followed by pore formation, deformation and fusion of particles during the slow degradation phase. Protein release from 0.1 and 1 microm particles was greater than that from 10 microm size particles. In conclusion, the polymer degradation rates in vitro were not substantially different for different size particles despite a 10- and 100-fold greater surface area to volume ratio for 0.1 microm size nanoparticles as compared to 1 and 10 microm size microparticles, respectively. Relatively higher amounts of the surface-associated PVA found in the smaller-size nanoparticles (0.1 microm) as compared to the larger-size microparticles could explain some of the observed degradation results with different size particles.