The aim of this investigation was to screen and understand the product variability due to important factors affecting the characteristics CyA-PLGA nanoparticles prepared by O/W emulsification-solvent evaporation method. Independent variables studied were cyclosporine A (CyA) (X1), PLGA (X2), and emulsifier concentration namely SLS (X3), stirring rate (X4), type of organic solvent employed (chloroform or dichloromethane, X5) and organic to aqueous phase ratio (X6). The nanoparticles properties considered were encapsulation efficiency (Y1), mean particle size (Y2), zeta potential (Y3), burst effect (Y4) and dissolution efficiency (Y5). The statistical analysis of the results allowed determining the most influent factors. The nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The factors combination showed variability of entrapment efficiency (Y1), mean particle size (Y2) and zeta potential (Y3) from 10.17% to 93.01%, 41.60 to 372.80nm and 29.60 to 34.90 mV, respectively. Initially, nanoparticles showed burst effect followed by sustained release during the 7-day in vitro release study period. The dissolution efficiency (Y5) varied from 52.67% to 84.11%. The nanoparticles revealed Higuchi release pattern and release occurred by coupling of diffusion and erosion. In conclusion, this study revealed the potential of QbD in understanding the effect of formulation and process variables on the characteristics on CyA-PLGA nanoparticles.

Abstract. The focus of this investigation was to prepare the cocrystal of carbamazepine (CBZ) using nicotinamide as a coformer and to compare its preformulation properties and stability profile with CBZ. The cocrystal was prepared by solution cooling crystallization, solvent evaporation, and melting and cryomilling methods. They were characterized for solubility, intrinsic dissolution rate, chemical identification by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, crystallinity by differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray diffraction, and morphology by scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, mechanical properties were evaluated by tensile strength and Heckel analysis of compacts. The cocrystal and CBZ were stored at 40°C/94% RH, 40°C/75% RH, 25°C/60% RH, and 60°C to determine their stability behavior. The cocrystals were fluffy, with a needle-shaped crystal, and were less dense than CBZ. The solubility profiles of the cocrystals were similar to CBZ, but its intrinsic dissolution rate was lower due to the high tensile strength of its compacts. Unlike CBZ, the cocrystals were resistant to hydrate transformation, as revealed by the stability studies. Plastic deformation started at a higher compression pressure in the cocrystals than CBZ, as indicated by the high yield pressure. In conclusion, the preformulation profile of the cocrystals was similar to CBZ, except that it had an advantageous resistance to hydrate transformation.

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The purpose of the present investigation was to increase the solubility and dissolution rate of rofecoxib by the preparation of its solid dispersion with polyvinyl pyrrolidone K30 (PVP K30) using solvent evaporation method. Drugpolymer interactions were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). For the preparation of rofecoxib mouth dissolve tablets, its 1:9 solid dispersion with PVP K30 was used with various disintegrants and sublimable materials. In an attempt to construct a statistical model for the prediction of disintegration time and percentage friability, a 3 2 randomized full and reduced factorial design was used to optimize the influence of the amounts of superdisintegrant and subliming agent. The obtained results showed that dispersion of the drug in the polymer considerably enhanced the dissolution rate. The drug-to-carrier ratio was the controlling factor for dissolution improvement. FTIR spectra revealed no chemical incompatibility between the drug and PVP K30. As indicated from XRD and DSC data, rofecoxib was in the amorphous form, which explains the better dissolution rate of the drug from its solid dispersions. Concerning the optimization study, the multiple regression analysis revealed that an optimum concentration of camphor and a higher percentage of crospovidone are required for obtaining rapidly disintegrating tablets. In conclusion, this investigation demonstrated the potential of experimental design in understanding the effect of the formulation variables on the quality of mouth dissolve tablets containing solid dispersion of a hydrophobic drug.

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3D printing, and particularly fused deposition modeling (FDM), has rapidly brought the possibility of personalizing drug therapies to the forefront of pharmaceutical research and media attention. Applications for this technology, described in published articles, are expected to grow significantly in 2020. Where are we on this path, and what needs to be done to develop a FDM 2.0 process and make personalized medicines available to patients? Based on literature analysis, this manuscript aims to answer these questions and highlight the critical technical aspects of FDM as an emerging technology for manufacturing safe, high-quality personalized oral drug products. In this collaborative