Technologies and Mechanisms for Oral Modified Release by Monolithic and Multiparticulate Delivery Systems

Innovation in oral drug delivery is focusing more and more on patient adherence to therapy. Drug combination with MR monolithic formulations requires the intake of several tablets each containing the specific drug. Concerning their biopharmaceutical properties, the small size of multiparticulates reduces their effect on gastrointestinal transit compared to modified release (MR) monoliths. Drug release from MR multiparticulate systems, in particular pellets, matches the drug release kinetics for monolithic or reservoir systems. Pellets are produced via a plethora of manufacturing methods. Extrusion–spheronization is probably the most common process for the industrial production of pellets. The technologies and applications demonstrate that multiparticulate drug delivery systems for MR are worthy of further research for the development of new medicinal products. Multiparticulate technologies enable line extensions or re-positioning for already marketed oral drugs, particularly to improve bioavailability while also trying to respond to the need for patient-centric formulations.