Vibrational spectroscopy and microspectroscopy analyzing qualitatively and quantitatively pharmaceutical hot melt extrudates

• This review delves into Hot Melt Extrusion processes.
• Spectroscopic techniques are used as Process Analytical Technology tools.
• Spectroscopic techniques analyzing Hot Melt Extrusion processes are reviewed.
• Advantages of Raman microspectroscopy applied to melt extrudates are presented.

Since the last decade, more and more Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) candidates have poor water solubility inducing low bioavailability. These molecules belong to the Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS) classes II and IV. Thanks to Hot-Melt Extrusion (HME), it is possible to incorporate these candidates in pharmaceutical solid forms. Indeed, HME increases the solubility and the bioavailability of these drugs by encompassing them in a polymeric carrier and by forming solid dispersions.Moreover, in 2004, the FDA's guidance initiative promoted the usefulness of Process Analytical Technology (PAT) tools when developing a manufacturing process. Indeed, the main objective when developing a new pharmaceutical process is the product quality throughout the production chain. The trend is to follow this parameter in real-time in order to react immediately when there is a bias. Vibrational spectroscopic techniques, NIR and Raman, are useful to analyze processes in-line. Moreover, off-line Raman microspectroscopy is more and more used when developing new pharmaceutical processes or when analyzing optimized ones by combining the advantages of Raman spectroscopy and imaging. It is an interesting tool for homogeneity and spatial distribution studies.This review treats about spectroscopic techniques analyzing a HME process, as well off-line as in-line, presenting their advantages and their complementarities.

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