Formulation Development

Pre-Formulation Research

Pre-formulation characterization studies generally include accelerated stability (stress) studies, stability-indicating analytical method development, and other physiochemical characterizations designed to pinpoint potential product candidate stability problems and enable formulation optimization.

Understand the significant physicochemical properties
Estimate a product’s stability when exposed to various common stresses
Develop stability-indicating assays for major degradation products
Decide upon a lyophilized or liquid formulation for initial clinical studies
Finalize a formulation development research protocol (matrix of buffer, pH, stabilizer, tonicity modifier; analytical methods; etc.)

Curia offers a wide variety of services to help formulate your drug product:

Analytical Method Capabilities
Formulation Development
Lyophilization Cycle Development
In Use, Compatibility, and Robustness
Technology & Innovation
Modalities and Stability Studies

Formulation Development

Utilizing specialized technology, our skilled experts can develop liquid, lyophilized, or frozen dosage forms, where there is sufficient solubility and stability with the target drug substance.

We offer aseptic fill/finish services, including aseptic lyophilization for both clinical trials and commercial manufacturing.

Liquid Formulation

Sufficient stability information is required to achieve liquid formulations as most biopharmaceuticals have limited stability in liquid state. It is also important to understand that product stability in prefilled syringe may be different from the same formulation filled in vials.

Lyophilized Formulation

If improved product stability is required, lyophilization typically comes into play. To achieve robust lyophilized formulations, additional formulation factors listed below need to be considered above and beyond storage stability.

Lyophilization cycle optimization
Elegant appearance of the lyophilized cake
Good stability during the freeze-drying process.
Easy, rapid, and thorough reconstitution

Frozen Formulation

Appropriate for clients wanting to quickly determine if their compound is safe and effective in early (Phase I) clinical trials.

Co-Formulation

Combining two products in one formulation, e.g., co-formulation, is used when multi-dosing from a single vial is beneficial. In general, the addition of preservative(s), regardless of the type and amount utilized, significantly changes the stability profiles of proteins. In some extreme cases, visible precipitation and aggregation have been reported from the introduction of these materials. Therefore, the effect of various preservatives on the stability of protein should be carefully examined. Other experiments are also required to qualify a protein product for multi-dose formulation capabilities. The most notable tests include analyses for antimicrobial preservative effectiveness and stopper resealing. As proteins have limited stability in the presence of preservatives, dual chamber syringes or dual chamber cartridges containing bacteriostatic diluents are routinely used.

Analytical Method Capabilities

Structural Analysis

We measure the secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structure of biologically active proteins. This includes:

Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
Fluorescence Spectroscopy

UPLC/HPLC Methods

We monitor various degradation of biological therapeutics, including:

Size-exclusion
Ion-exchange (cation-exchange, anion-exchange)
Reversed Phase
Hydrophobic Interaction
Various detectors: UV, Fluorescence, reflective index, evaporative light scattering, charged aerosol

Electrophoresis

This method separates impurities based on both charge and mass, such as:

Capillary Electrophoresis (CE)
Sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE)

Viscosity

Measurement for manufacturing process as well as injection through narrow bore needles.

Rheometer
Instron
M-VROC

Subvisible Particle Analysis

The potential immunogenicity of particles ranging from nanometer to micron sizes in biotherapeutics has been a growing area of discussion between regulators and industry. Both the USP and Ph.Eur. currently require biopharmaceutical products to quantify subvisible particles larger than 10 µm and 25 µm, respectively.

Due to the complex milieu of subvisible particles, sample preparation and the method of analysis can affect the accuracy of:

Particle Sizing
Particle Counting
Particle Classification

Consequently, multiple orthogonal techniques are strongly recommended for subvisible particle analysis. We offer multiple orthogonal techniques for subvisible particle characterization:

Flow Imaging Microscopy (MFI and Flowcam)
Dynamic Light scattering (Zetasizer, Wyatt)
HIAC Liquid Particle Counter
Light Obscuration

Other useful analytical methods include:

Sub-ambient differential scanning calorimetry (characterization of frozen formulations)
Imaged capillary isoelectric focusing (iCIEF)
Karl Fisher
Osmometry
SoloVPE
GC
XRPD
DVS

In Use, Compatibility & Robustness

Process Development

Having an inefficient biologic development process can have significant consequences in later clinical and commercial stages. Poor product quality and higher than expected costs can create havoc on a drug development program. Recognizing that every biologic drug product is unique, we take a customized approach when it comes to developing process development. During process development, we identify and optimize process conditions and parameters.

The following are just some of the areas we concentrate on:

Sterile filtration
Buffer characterization
Aseptic fill/finish process development
Temperature sensitive formulations
Process scale up
Engineering runs

Formulation Robustness Study

After a formulation matrix is identified, the stability of the drug product within the specification of each formulation parameter needs to be generated. In addition, the effect of various excursions from controlled stability study conditions on product stability have to be studied.

Examples of robustness studies include:

Formulation robustness study
Transportation study
Process excursion study
Temperature excursion study

In-use Stability Studies

The stability of the drug product during intended application processes should be investigated, such as withdrawal from the primary container closure system, expulsion through delivery devices, mixing with diluents, adjuvants, etc.

Examples of In-use Stability Study include:

Administration with disposable syringes
Administration with IV catheter with or without in-line filter
Dilution with IV infusion bag
Stability and integrity of multidose formulation over multiple entry

Compatibility Study

Since a drug product comes in contact with other materials, molecules, etc., the drug product’s stability and integrity needs to be demonstrated.

Examples of compatibility studies include:

Prefilled syringe compatibility study
Extractables and leachables study
Secondary container/closure systems
Excipient-drug compatibility
Drug-drug compatibility study

Technology & Development

Lyotip

The ease of a prefilled syringe with the stability of a lyophilized drug in a one-step reconstitution and injection.

The Lyotip Advantage

User-friendly design favored by patients and/or practitioners
Eliminates need for separate mixing steps
Designed for use with existing fill/finish and lyophilized process
May permit decreased use of cold chain handling
Cost effective, highly valued differentiation for SC and IV lyophilized drugs

Lyotip was chosen as “Best” in ease of use, preparation speed, learning ease, portability and economy in a third-party market study of competitors.

Excelse Technology

Concentrating and efficiently delivering high-dose biologic medicine.

The Excelse Advantage

Our groundbreaking Excelse high-concentration formulation technology uses customized blends of amino acids to highly stabilize and concentrate delicate biotechnology medicines.

Permits concentration of intravenous liquid and lyophilized biologics into liquid subcutaneous injections
Significantly reduces viscosity
Allows for concentrations of up 300 mg/mL allowing 1 mL injections
Uses stabilizers that are non-active and FDA approved

Modalities & Studies

Modalities

We have experience with various biological and small molecule drug products such as:

Proteins
Antibodies
Peptides
Oligonucleotides
Vaccines
Viral Particles
Plasmid DNA
Lipid nano particles
Small molecules
Liposomes

Stability Studies

Regulators require stability studies to show that your drug product is safe and effective during its shelf life. While accelerated stability studies are useful for predicting potential degradation products and appropriate analytical methods, they are not sufficient for regulatory approval. We have wide ranging experience in performing both accelerated and real-time stability studies.