DRUGCOAT® – Excellence in Pharma Polymer

DRUGCOAT® Polymers

DRUGCOAT® has played a pivotal role in the evolution of the global pharmaceutical industry, setting new benchmarks in oral drug delivery.

DRUGCOAT® presence accelerated the industry’s transition from conventional coatings to scientifically engineered polymers, enabling modified-release, targeted-delivery, and stability-enhancing dosage forms.

“Accelerating the future of oral drug delivery

By bridging gaps between pharmaceutical science, industrial scalability, and regulatory compliance, DRUGCOAT® has become a cornerstone technology, elevating industry standards, driving innovation, and redefining the potential of modern drug development.

DRUGCOAT® L&S Series

Targeted drug delivery with precise pH-controlled release

Protecting oral therapies from the stomach’s harsh acidic environment, DRUGCOAT® L and S series polymers offer reliable gastro-resistance and controlled intestinal targeting. Developed using advanced polymerization, these polymers dissolve only above defined pH thresholds ensuring drug release occurs at the intended absorption site.

By selecting the appropriate grade, formulators can fine-tune dissolution onset with high precision, accurately targeting specific regions of the gastrointestinal tract, including the colon. This makes DRUGCOAT® L & S series especially valuable for therapies addressing intestinal disorders.

Curing: Essential for film formation and stability. Curing is a critical post-coating step for enteric films using methacrylic acid polymers, ensuring a uniform, stable, and functional coating that dissolves at the intended intestinal pH.

Process: Coated tablets or pellets are cured at 40–50°C for 30–45 minutes under low relative humidity (<30–40%) to promote polymer coalescence, improve adhesion, and prevent defects such as cracking or dose dumping.

Benefits of curing

• Ensures film integrity
• Improves acid resistance
• Stabilizes performance
• Reduces variability
• Prevents dose dumping
• Enhances mechanical strength

Advantages:

• Reliable gastro-resistance
• pH-controlled dissolution and release
• Accurate gastrointestinal targeting
• Protection of acid-labile active ingredients
• Safeguarding gastric mucosa from irritant drugs
• Optimized drug bioavailability and therapeutic  effectiveness
• Excellent film stability and storage robustness

Adapted the advance technology in 1995

Ahead in time always, we started the advanced DRUGCOAT® L&S series in 1995, and adapted the aqueous polymerization technology.

DRUGCOAT® L&S SERIES

DRUGCOAT® E Series

Protect, mask and enhance

DRUGCOAT® E series polymers provide a complete solution for moisture-sensitive actives, while improving patient acceptability through effective taste and odor masking. Their smooth, glossy coatings make tablets and capsules easier to swallow, visually appealing, and easy to identify.

Despite their effectiveness, the desired functionality can be achieved with an ultra-thin coating, offering a highly efficent and cost-effective approach for immediate release formulations. Built on advanced cationic polymer technology, DRUGCOAT® E series polymers offer superior resistance to ambient moisture compared to conventional hydrocolloid systems, ensuring effective protection of the active ingredient throughout its shelf life. Additional advantages include high adhesion to substrates, excellent pigment load capacity, and smooth, efficient application.

Engineered to protect, simplify administration, and optimize production, DRUGCOAT® E series supports both pharmaceutical performance and patient satisfaction.

Advantages:

• pH- dependent drug release
• Moisture protection
• Improves patient compliance
• Protection of API from environmental factors
• Taste and odour masking
• Improves storage stability of sensitive APIs
• Lowest WVTR in its class

Solubility and drug loading – Itraconazole

DRUGCOAT® EPO – Multifunctional polymer for itraconazole pellets

DRUGCOAT® EPO is a cationic copolymer widely used in itraconazole pellet formulations to address the drug’s poor water solubility and bitter taste.

It serves multiple functions: Taste masking by forming a protective film that prevents drug release in the mouth, and solubility enhancement by maintaining itraconazole in an amorphous, high-energy state through solid dispersions. DRUGCOAT® EPO being pH-sensitive it dissolves in gastric fluids below pH 5.0

This enables rapid drug release in the stomach, where itraconazole is most soluble and readily absorbed, improving oral bioavailability.

It also stabilizes amorphous form of itraconazole, preventing recrystallization and ensuring consistent drug performance. Overall, DRUGCOAT® EPO enhances taste, solubility, release profile, and bioavailability, making it a critical polymer for high-performance itraconazole pellet formulations.

DRUGCOAT® E SERIES

Advance moisture protection

Since 20th century we developed the advanced moisture protection DRUGCOAT®E series which provides advanced moisture protection, forming a tight shield that prevents moisture ingress and preserves drug stability

See the full leaflet on DRUGCOAT® – Excellence in Pharma Polymer here:

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Source: Vikram Thermo brochure DRUGCOAT® – Excellence in Pharma Polymer

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