Co-Crystallization Will Lead To Faster Drug Production

A new method of developing co-crystals has been formulated by the researchers at Bradford’s University Centre for Pharmaceutical Engineering Science. This method involves a technique of employing twin screw extrusion, which is often used in the plastic-industry. The project even received a three year funding by EPSRC.

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Co-crystals

The researchers stated that co-crystallization renders a substitute to conventional methods of developing soluble drugs and can even speed up the drug-development in the industry, while drugs produced will have enhanced stability and will prove out to be more effective. Developing co-crystals that are made up of the active ingredient and other approved materials like sugar and vitamins, enhances the solubility of the active ingredient.

The extrusion process that forms the base of the new technique relies on a coordination of high temperatures and shearing forces to convert raw materials to co-crystals. During experiments, it was found that the co-crystal purity of model drugs like ibuprofen was nearly 100 per cent. Employing an assortment of model drugs and co-formers, the project team will study the optimal conditions required for co-crystal formation. Applying various analytical techniques, researchers will qualify the crystalline materials and can witness how the crystals are being formed. During the project, various properties of the co-crystals- solubility, efficacy and stability- shall be evaluated.