Tablet Development Services

As a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of pharmaceutical formulations, BOC Sciences is committed to providing our customers with a full range of tablet development services. This includes from the initial formulation design to the production and quality control of the final product.

What is tablet?

As a solid preparation, tablets contain active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients. Its shape is mostly double convex round, mainly by pressing method. As one of the most widely used pharmaceutical dosage forms, tablets account for about two-thirds of the prescription market. In addition to the common oral method, tablets can be administered sublingual, oral, rectal, or vaginal. According to different characteristics and use needs, tablets can be divided into conventional tablets, coated tablets (such as sugar coating, film coating, enteric coating), multilayer tablets, effervescent tablets, chewable tablets, dispersed tablets, sublingual tablets, orally disintegrating tablets and sustained-release tablets.

Advantages of tablets

The production process of the tablets is highly standardized, the drug content is accurate, and the dose consistency is good, ensuring that every tablet can provide the same efficacy. Secondly, the stability of the tablet is high, its storage and transportation process is less affected by the environment, and it is not easy to deteriorate, thus extending the shelf life of the drug. Tablets are also easy for patients to carry and take, and patients can easily take medication at any time and anywhere without the help of special equipment, improving medication compliance.

In addition, tablets can mask the bitter taste of the drug and improve the patient's medication experience. By designing different disintegrating properties, tablets can disintegrate rapidly in the stomach or release the drug slowly in the small intestine for rapid or sustained efficacy. The production cost of the tablet is relatively low, which is suitable for large-scale production to meet market demand.

Tablets can also achieve the directed release of drugs through coating technology, such as enteric-coated tablets can protect the drug from being destroyed in stomach acid, ensuring that the drug is absorbed in the best place. At the same time, different drugs can be combined in the form of tablets through complex preparations to reduce the number of patients taking medication and simplify the treatment plan.

Our comprehensive tablet development services

Selection of excipients

Select the right adhesives, disintegrators, lubricants and fillers to achieve the desired tablet characteristics. For example, the adhesive can affect the hardness and strength of the tablet, while the disintegrator determines the disintegration time of the tablet and the rate at which the drug is released. The lubricant helps prevent friction and adhesion during tablet production, thus ensuring production efficiency. In addition, the filler is used to adjust the size and weight of the tablet. The optimal combination of these excipients ensures that the tablet performance meets the expected standards.

Formulation development

BOC Sciences utilizes a range of formulation techniques to develop powerful tablet formulations:

Direct compression: A faster and less complex method suitable for APIs with good compressibility.

Granulation: Including both wet and dry granulation techniques to enhance the flow and compressibility of APIs.

Multi-unit pellet systems (MUPS): For controlled release and target-specific delivery.

Enhancement of bioavailability: Using techniques such as solid dispersions, nano-milling, and liposomal formulations.

Optimized formulation parameters

Particle size distribution, compression force and coating thickness have significant effects on the drug release curve and bioavailability of tablets. By adjusting these parameters, BOC Sciences is able to control the release rate and bioavailability of the drug, thereby improving the therapeutic effectiveness. For example, the right compression force can ensure the hardness of the tablet, while the right coating thickness can control the drug release rate.

Analytical method development and validation

Our analytical services ensure that the developed formulation is safe, effective, and reliable. These services include:

Method development: Creating analytical methods for the quantification of APIs and impurities.

Validation: Ensuring methods meet regulatory standards for accuracy, precision, specificity, and robustness.

Stability studies

We conduct rigorous stability studies to ensure the long-term viability of tablet formulations:

Accelerated stability testing: Simulating long-term storage conditions to predict shelf-life.

Real-time stability testing: Monitoring the product under normal storage conditions for extended periods.

Scale-up and technology transfer

Process optimization: Refining the formulation process to ensure consistency and efficiency at a larger scale.

Technology transfer: Seamlessly moving the optimized process to commercial manufacturing facilities.

Custom tablet formulation

BOC Sciences can customize the formulation of tablets according to the specific needs of the customer. This customized service includes a variety of tablet types including coated tablets, chewable tablets, cheek tablets, effervescent tablets and sustained-release tablets. Each tablet type has its own unique uses and requirements. For example, coated tablets can mask the bad taste of the drug and improve the stability of the drug, while chewable tablets provide a better taste experience. Buccal tablets release the drug slowly by adhering to the cheek and are suitable for situations where a continuous drug supply is required. Effervescent tablets release the drug by dissolving it in water and are intended for patients who do not want to swallow tablets. Sustained-release tablets further achieve long-term efficacy maintenance by controlling the release time of the drug.

Advanced technology and equipment capability

Advanced analytical instruments

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC): For accurate separation, identification, and quantification of compounds.

Gas chromatography (GC): Ideal for volatile substance analysis.

Mass spectrometry (MS): For detailed molecular analysis.

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC): Assessing thermal properties.

State-of-the-art manufacturing equipment

Fluid bed granulators: For efficient wet and dry granulation.

Tablet presses: Offering high-speed and precision tablet production.

Coaters: For applying functional and aesthetic coatings to tablets.

Blenders and mixers: Ensuring uniform distribution of ingredients.

Specialized formulation technologies

Hot-melt extrusion (HME): For improving solubility and bioavailability.

Spray drying: Creating uniform and stable powder formulations.

Cryogenic milling: Producing fine powders with enhanced dissolution rates.

Why choose BOC Sciences?

• Our multidisciplinary team offers expertise in formulation, analytical development, stability testing, scale-up, and regulatory compliance
• Efficient formulation development process
• Customized solutions to meet individual needs
• Quality and compliance
• Cost-effectiveness
• Advanced technologies such as hot melt extrusion, spray drying and low temperature grinding

FAQ

1. What services are included in your tablet development service?

Our tablet development service encompasses a comprehensive suite of offerings:

2. What type of tablets can you develop?

We offer development services for a variety of tablet forms including:

3. Can you develop formulations for specialized delivery systems?

Yes, we have experience in developing formulations for specialized delivery systems such as:

• Floating tablets
• Mucoadhesive tablets
• Multi-layer tablets

4. What is the typical timeline for tablet development?

The timeline varies based on the complexity of the formulation and project scope, but generally, the entire process can take from a few weeks to several months. We aim to expedite processes wherever possible.

5. How to deal with tablets containing poorly water soluble drug?

In the formulation and process design, attention should be paid to increasing the dissolution rate to improve the curative effect. Commonly used methods such as micro-pulverization; Attention should also be paid to the selection of auxiliary materials and processes. Hydrophilic excipients and suitable surfactants should be selected, and the amount of magnesium stearate should be controlled. BOC Sciences develops cutting-edge drug solubility enhancement technologies for insoluble drugs.