Hard Capsules Advanced Seminar

Summary

Hard capsules are a versatile oral dosage form, allowing customized solid single-unit doses to be produced from various solid, liquid and semi-solid formulations. As the manufacture of the empty capsules and the subsequent filling and optional banding or sealing of the capsules are separate unit operations, a huge variety of applications is feasible. Those comprise the preparation of prescriptions in the public or hospital pharmacy, clinical trials, industrial development and production of finished products for the pharmaceutical and dietary supplement market. The successful development of a hard capsule product requires knowledge of the properties of filling materials and empty capsules as well as the proper choice of the filling process. Experts from university and industry will share their experience in the development of powder- and liquid/semisolidfilled hard capsules including combination products. Special focus will be on the different characteristics of commercially available empty capsules, challenges of liquid/semisolid formulations and particle engineering as a prerequisite for powder-filled oral capsules and dry powder inhalation products. Another focus is on the various types of capsule filling machines, the wide range of different filling technologies and innovations in process analytical technology systems. How to identify the most suitable processes for each pharmaceutical application as well as quality issues and troubleshooting in capsule handling and filling will be explained together with new simulation and modeling tools, use of digital twins and continuous manufacturing.