. Compendium for pharmaceutical technologists Practical tips and detailed
. descriptions of pharmaceutical excipients by BASF
A good active drug substance is not everything, because if it does not reach the bloodstream after being swallowed, it cannot take effect. Hot melt extrusion is a method that can help an active drug substance to dissolve properly in the stomach and provide more effective treatment. In response to the increasing use of the method in the pharmaceutical industry, BASF has now published the first hot melt extrusion compendium. The compendium contains practical instructions for use and extensive descriptions of the relevant pharmaceutical excipients supplied by BASF. "Our aim with this compendium is to give guidance to pharmaceutical companies and make developing hot-melt-extruded dosage forms easier," co-editor Dr. Karl Kolter commented.

The book is intended for pharmaceutical technologists who already use the method or intend to do so. All the relevant BASF pharmaceutical polymers, plasticizers and solubilizers suitable for use in hot melt extrusion are described clearly and in depth. The compendium also contains background information about hot melt extrusion and related processes, drug development information and practical tips.

Hot melt extrusion is the ideal pharmaceutical industry solution for formulating barely soluble active substances that are poorly absorbed in the stomach and intestine . Hot melt extrusion involves mixing and condensing the individual active substances of a medicinal product at high temperature in an extruder in combination with added polymers such as Soluplus ®. The active drug substances dissolve in the polymer to give what is called a solid solution, in that way allowing poorly soluble, low-bioavailability drug substances to be administered in a tablet. First presented in 2009, the BASF pharmaceutical excipient Soluplus® went on to win the Innovation Award in Silver in October 2010 at CPhI worldwide (Convention on Pharmaceutical Ingredients and Intermediates) in Paris.

The BASF Hot Melt Extrusion Compendium is available in English. The compendium can be downloaded in PDF format or ordered in print at www.pharma-ingredients.basf.com/Excipients

About BASF’s Pharma Ingredients & Services
BASF produces and markets a broad range of active ingredients and excipients, as well as exclusive synthesis services for the pharmaceutical industry. These products are made using the latest technologies, to the highest quality standards and in compliance with cGMP guidelines. Further information can be found at www.pharma-ingredients.basf.com